Tigers season - A second rate performance?

This season represents an even more interesting problem. Just how does one judge the Mayumi Tigers; a team of chokers or an excellent team mismanaged by Mayumi? In the end Tigers finished second by .001 of a percentage point, the slimmest of margins. Two more victories would have seen them installed as Central League champions and this is the real prize - the Climax Series and the Japan Series despite the hype are the consolation trophies should Tigers win them. More structural weaknesses in pitching and coaching became clear and we can even credit the team for doing well considering the disadvantages it was saddled with.

Pitching
Most teams would have struggled with the rotatioin problems that Mayumi had. Iwata was out for the whole season, Nohmi broke his foot, Andoh proved next to useless and Shimoyanagi continued to fade. The only one Mayumi could rely on was the excellent Kubo and later in the season Standridge. Coupled with a new catcher it is impressive that Tigers did as well as they did. The coaching team was lead by Kubo who frankly was not very good. Conservative and over-cautious, he failed to develop young talent and bring it along at the speed it was needed. None of the young pitchers Kojima and Uezono in particular prospered though the latter's prolonged sulk is getting rather tiring. Still Tigers do need a new pitching coach. Akiyama - their young draft signing was hurredly brought up to the first team and performed well though he was playing more due to desperation than forsight.
Tigers signed a couple of foreign pitchers to bolster their rotation but Fossum cannot be said to have been a success and soon found it difficult to go even five innings. He was sent down to the second team and never reappeared. Messenger showed that he could pitch brilliantly but couldn't maintain consistency. Some of his best pitching was wasted though - either by Fujikawa or by others. If he can maintain a consistent level he will be a very useful addition to the rotation. Standridge was the success story but he was signed mid-season as a panic measure not as part of a developed plan.
Tigers relief struggled - Kubota despite his slow start rapidly reestablished himself and produced some truely brilliant and awe-inspiring pitching. He was the bright spark. Kyuji Fujikawa proved once again that he can't necessarily be relied on in the really vital games and he has a lot to atone for. Spoiling Yano's retirement ceremony and blowing the championship in one game will take some living down. He was used to pitch non-save games as well and Mayumi often brought him in to pitch with a four run lead. Egusa just couldn't get on with Johjima and as a result was next to useless. He didn't look happy at all and he is normally a cheerful bustling pitcher. The only time he looked good was when Kanoh was used as replacement for Johjima late in one game. Then he was back to his brilliant unorthodox self. The relief struggled and didn't seem to respond to Mayumi. He in turn didn't seem to value them at all and rotated the members bringing up the useless Fukuhara and Sugiyama two of Kubo's (pitching coach) favourites though the value either one added is questionable. Mayumi also seemed to be lacking in judgement as to when to change pitchers and some of his decisions themselves blew games which up until that point had been winnable. Part of the problem was that pitchers who messed up or failed were sent down to the second team as a punishment. This was a very demotivating factor and contributed to the problems Tigers had. They were really lucky to have Kubota.

Catching
Johjima took over the catching duties and was excellent. He was also good with the bat and showed a strong and perceptive reading of the game. Where he needed to improve was that he lacked the creativity of the brilliant Kanoh and consequently struggled to get pitchers out of jams. This was really Mayumi's and the coaching team's fault. Rather than keeping Kanoh as second catcher and having Johjima and Kanoh teach and learn from each other, Kanoh was banished from the catching team and turned into an outfielder. This did not suit him at all and he hated it. Instead we saw Komiyama and Shimizu used as replacement catchers and the less said about either the better. Neither were anywhere near as good as Kanoh or Johjima and this pig-headedness of Mayumi can only be said to have been detremental to the catching performance. This is a typical Japanese behaviour pattern though - a young brilliant individual is not expected to show his brilliance and if he does will be hammered down. Kanoh had a lot to learn from Johjima but also a lot to teach and if the two could have got together the Egusa - Johjima issue could have been solved.

Batting
Here was Tigers plus point. The front office had assembled one of the most powerful lineups seen in Japan for a long time. They also had the coaches in place to take advantage of it - Wada (much improved over last year), Kataoka and Mayumi himself all worked to improve the batting performance of the team and it paid off. Brazell justified his recall by top scoring and we finally saw Arai's potential as a run machine when he was moved to No. 4. Toritani had a career year and became the first ever short stop in Japan to drive in 100 RBIs. Murton broke the hit record and both he and Johjima contributed over 90 RBIs. We also had great support from Hirano who's batting average was great. The fly in the ointment was Kanemoto. He picked up a shoulder injury and this affected his ability to score as it was a lingering problem. Tigers were best with him out of the side but when he returned he needed to be lower down the lineup than he was. Kanemoto was inserted at six or five with Johjima being moved to seven and Brazell sometimes going to six. This acutally broke up a very powerful lineup and gave the opposition pitchers some relief. Kanemoto was easier to get out and his production did not justify the postion he was placed in. This sentimental approach to a fading player could be said to have cost the team runs.
Sakurai showed promise but didn't play enough and picked up an injury. Lin didn't get enough playing time and neither did Sekimoto. Mayumi over-used one of his favourites - Shunsuke Fujikawa - who didn't really hit and wasn't that fast (though he was faster than Johjima). His centre defence wasn't good near the running track either and one wonders why he was persisted with. Other Mayumi favourites such as Saka and Yamato also didn't add that much to the side and the sacrifice of potential power for these guys can be said to have been a mistake.
Pinch hitting was led by the reliable and accomplished Hiyama who proved his worth again and again. Sekimoto also contributed well which was good but his power output was down. Mitsunobu Takahashi didn't do much and will probably retire and become a second team coach. Katsuragi failed to do anything and was no longer in evidence in the latter half of the season. One major flaw in the management of the batting was the number of times Hirano was asked to bunt. With a batter hitting .350 it is a waste to have him bunt as often as he was asked to and we can only say that this showed the limitations of Mayumi's tactical mind. The batting order was also strange at times Johjima was too good to bat seven and Toritani was better at No. 3 than lead off but Mayumi wanted him in lead off. Kanemoto of course should have been lower down the order and inserting Shunsuke Fujikawa in at five was incredible to say the least. Getting people to hit seems to be Mayumi's forte but anything resembling tactical appreciation has him floundering.

Coaching
Mayumi was strange and didn't understand his pitching. This caused him to leave pitchers in too long (Kubo had to pitch a 150 pitch complete game when he had already given up a run) or change them at the wrong moment. Relief pitchers didn't respond to him and Mayumi can't be said to understand which pitchers to use when. Tigers signed the left hander Kawasaki for him and he immediately misued the guy rendering the expense money down the drain. Mayumi's use of the steal was also more in hope than decision. He signalled steals with anyone and everyone frequently with runners who had no chance or very little chance of making second. The oppostion were waiting and whilst Johjima tried hard he was more often than not out. His over-reliance on the bunt was also disappointing and showed his tactical limitiations. Mayumi also lacked that vital requisite of a manager - the ability to motivate and lead. Too often he was aimless and drifting and the common factor about his pep talks was their ineffectiveness. If the Tigers struggled he could not get them out of trouble and one must say that Okada was much better than him at this. The disturbing thing about Mayumi's management is that he has learnt nothing. For Tigers to improve though they really only need to replace Kubo with a decent pitching coach. Someone who understands how to develop and use pitchers can work around Mayumi's ignorance in that particular area. Mayumi can focus on the batting and leave pitching management to the expert. Tigers do need to strengthen their pitching though and they should go all out to get either Uehara or Kuroda if either become available.

Nice season review Christopher. Thanks for all your match reports this season - your dedication to the Tigers is beyond question, even if I sometimes differ with you as to the conclusions - but then again, surely that is what sport is all about

I agree with a lot of things you say here however. My own post season review (if you don't mind me indulging in a bit of shameless self promotion) is available at http://stevesayskanpai.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/hanshin-tigers-season-review-2010

Best wishes, and lets hope we can end the season on a positive note in the Climax Series.

SSK

Excellent review, I've really enjoyed reading your match reports all season, they've been a lifesaver since I found them a couple of months ago.

Can't really disagree with anything you wrote, I just wanted to bear the bad news that Yakyu Baka carried news a few days ago that Tigers are planning on keeping 'most or all' of the coaching staff. I hope Kubo is not in the 'most' section.

Fingers crossed for the post-season!

Thank you for all that you do to help me keep in touch with the Tigers from over here in Toronto. I agree with your assessment and especially with your comment about the only prize worth playing for- the Central League Crown.

I also would like to thank you Christopher for all the work you put into Hanshin Tigers. I always enjoy reading your blog and your opinions. I think you are very passionate about the team therefore you got strong opinions. I'm more of a, if the team does good, then the manager is good. So in my view, Mayumi is decent. Not great but not terrible either.

Thanks for the review Christopher. A little negative of course, but I'm also disappointed that such a talented team is in the position we are--having to go through Nagoya Dome to reach the Japan Series. If we had been a little more consistent down the stretch we wouldn't be in this situation. Still, it ain't over til it's over, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

My biggest criticism this year--and you also touched on this--is the lack of developing the young pitchers. Especially with the injuries to our staff, it was the right time to do this. However, very little progress was made. They gave up on Uezono too quickly again, leaving him to sulk in the bullpen or on the 2-gun. Others like Kojima and Ishikawa didn't look good, but were also given too few chances or put into big games too abruptly. As you mentioned, the one big bright spot is Akiyama, who looks like a definite future star. I also think the Tigers relied too much on imported starters. Such starters rarely anchor the team for years to come, so it's better to develop young homegrown arms. Having said that, Standridge turned out to be a great addition to the staff and could be even better next year if he's in the rotation from the beginning. With everyone healthy, our rotation could be very solid next year.

On to the Climax Series!

Tigers do need to strengthen their pitching though and they should go all out to get either Uehara or Kuroda if either become available.
Has Uehara stated that he might return to NPB? I thought he settled into a good role as a closer for the Orioles. With all his injuries, I don't see him as being a starting pitcher anymore. Kuroda has had a really unlucky stretch in his time in MLB, but I imagine someone will pick him up. If he does come back to Japan, I'd love to see him in a Tigers uniform. But do you think we would pursue him after he already spurned us once?

Tigers are monitoring the situation in the US with regard to Japanese in MLB very closely. They are not so interested in position players but are definitely interested in pitchers. Uehara has been considering his options and Kuroda likewise is considering a return. Hiroshima have expressed an interest in Kuroda as well but he was conned by them when he rejected Tigers. The relative who influenced him has also died. The only question mark would be how his former agreement with Hiroshima affects his options.

I would like to see Matsui returning to Japan and perhaps fill the Kanemoto spot in left. But I doubt Hanshin have the guts to do that without discussing the issue with Kanemoto first.

The indications are that Matsui wants to remain in America and continue his career there. Tigers have held several discussions with him about this. His knees and cost would be factors in a potential return should he wish to do so but Kanemoto would not be a factor. If Matsui wants to return to Japan and play for the Tigers Kanemoto will be shunted aside without compunction.

Christopher, do you know the rotation for the Giants series? I think I read that Nohmi was starting tomorrow, but wanted to make sure. I managed to score tickets for game 1, so looking forward to it!

Baring sudden switches the rotation will be

First game: Nohmi
Second game: Kubo
Third game: Standridge

Congratulations on getting tickets for Game 1 - that sold out in about an hour so I understand.

You got tickets?!

It's probably a bit too late, but whoever is going to be at Koshien for stage one of the playoffs might win some free beer from those around them if s/he dons one of these Yomiuri-hater tees: http://marinerds.com/pictures/041609/HateGiants.JPG

My wife just grabbed one of the last ones. She found it on twitter or something. Absolutely hilarious! You have to e-mail admin[at]tokyoswallows.com apparently. 2500 hundo plus shipping.

Anyway, just wanted to let my fellow Hanshin fans know.

Come on, Tigers!

Once again huge THANKs for all your posts, Christopher! ^__-

p.s.
Judging by this article from yakyubaka, it may seem there's still some hope about Mayumi's deal...?
http://yakyubaka.com/2010/10/21/hanshin-tigers-more-on-akinobu-mayumis-contract-situation/

^_^;

Not sure Mayumi's motive for asking for just a one year deal. Is he too worried about the stress of managing the Tigers and wants to be able to escape if he messes up again next year? Or is he doing the "honorable" thing by just asking for a year so he can prove himself by doing well next year?