The selectors in charge of picking the next Samurai Japan manager have leaked the news that they have settled on Hirokazu Ibata to manage Japan at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Despite that, NPB secretary general Atsushi Ihara, who is in charge of the committee, said there was nothing to talk about at this time. I can’t say I blame him. I have nothing bad to say about Ibata, but considering there are many guys around who have successfully managed at the pro level, Ibata’s selection seems like something NPB is not going to be eager to talk about.
Today I’m going to run you through a simulated game of “Jeopardy,” although you’ll have to forgive me if I get parts of it wrong. It used to be one of my favorite American TV shows, but I have only seen a handful of episodes since moving to Japan in 1984, including those in which a friend and former Daily Yomiuri coworker played and won a considerable sum of cash.
I suspect some of this will be new to some of you. I hope you enjoy it, although there’s no cash involved and no home version as a consolation prize.
Clues
WBC controversies
An umpire who cost Japan a chance to bring in MLB closer Akira Otsuka with a late lead in the first game of the 2006 Anaheim quarterfinal round by overturning the correct safe call on an appeal play in favor of the USA.
An umpire who cost Mexico a home run in the final game of the 2006 Anaheim quarterfinal round against the USA, when he ruled a ball hit off the foul pole to be a ground rule double.
A country that was eliminated from a playoff to advance to the quarterfinals in 2017 after MLB announced it would play in the tie-breaker playoff.
A country whose players union threatened to boycott the first three WBCs.
