Abstract

It's eight years since he became manager.
He has won two league championships and one Japan championship.
Why does the great manager overturn common sense and make inspiring calls?

"My baseball notebook is filled with words taken from the classics, such as the Four Books and Five sutras, and books written by business managers. When I think about how I perceive the events of the day, the words left behind by predecessors and greats from all ages and cultures come to mind. It is no longer a baseball notebook but better described as a life notebook."

Introduction: Words in the notebook give us courage and hope
Chapter 1: With a calm heart
Chapter 2: In Adversity
Chapter 3: Never Hesitate
Chapter 4: Trusting
Chapter 5: Together

Author’s Information

He was born in 1961 in Tokyo. After graduating from Soka High School and Tokyo Gakugei University, he joined the Yakult Swallows as an undrafted infielder in 1984, making his first-team debut in his first year. After the 1990 season, he retired due to a series of injuries and illnesses.
In November 2011, he was appointed manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In his first year as manager, he won the Pacific League championship.
In 2016, he won his second league championship and the Japan championship, winning the Shoriki Matsutaro Award.
In 2018, he won 1,000 games and 500 games as a manager, in addition to 527 games, the second most in his career as a manager in May of the same year.
He managed the Samurai Japan team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, leading them to their third championship in three tournaments.