“Call me Big Boss.”
That’s what Tsuyoshi Shinjo said when he took over from Hideki Kuriyama as head coach of the Nippon Ham Fighters in October 2021. As he set out with the goal of rebuilding the team, he used the term “big boss” to convey a relaxed approach. When he made outlandish promises, such as creating a lineup open to players and fans, calling up the entire roster to the first team, and ordering the coaching staff to lose weight and get in shape, some people said, “That’s Shinjo. There were also concerns about whether the man who was labeled as a ‘geek’ for his outlandish performances during his playing days would be able to lead properly. Some clubs even said that Shinjo and Nihon Hamm were “unacceptable” and burned their bridges.
The following year, views began to change as Shinjo led the team through meaningful training from camp onward. But even so, he continued to fulfill his promise. When the team finished last in his first year, he surprised everyone by saying that he would “take off the uniform of Big Boss” in the home final, but soon after, he said that he would “start a new life as Tsuyoshi Shinjo” and was told that his “geekiness” was not going anywhere. But despite his efforts, Nihon Hamm finished last in the Pacific League in 2023.
This is his third year in charge and the final year of his contract. The rebuilding has been successful.
On Sept. 26, the Nippon Hammers beat the Rakuten Eagles 2-1 at home at Esken Field Hokkaido. As Japanese sports magazine Sankei Sports put it, 토토사이트 “With the win, Nippon Hamm has secured a spot in the Pacific League Climax Series regardless of the outcome of the remaining games. Manager Shinzo Shinjo did not hide his joy as he spread his hands in the air after the victory over Yakult clinched a spot in the Climax Series.
“The players set the goal of at least making it to the Climax Series. I can’t express my gratitude in words. They decided (to advance to the Climax Series) in the best possible way in front of their home fans,” Shin said. “The last two seasons, when we finished last, we prioritized letting the younger guys get experience and not focusing on wins and losses,” he said. ‘The last two years, I told the guys, ’Trust me and play baseball.’ This year, this is the result of my trust in them,” he said, giving credit to his players.
After this season, Shinjo’s contract with Nihon Ham will expire. “I just want to bring the Japan Series to Escon Field,” Shinjo said of his future. The rest is something I’ll think about after the season,” he said.
