October 18th Messenger v Tateyama - A step closer

The shocking thing about Koshien was how empty it was. This is an indication of how much Mayumi has affected Tigers crowds. Every game used to be almost sold out and this is also probably a major factor in the decision to replace him. Falling revenue due to an unpopular manager sets the alarm bells ringing. Swallows did well even though it didn't help them in the end - Dragons won the pennant (Congratulations Dragons). Tateyama pitched well and deserved his shutout though Tigers batters didn't exhibit much interest it must be said. Scores

          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R  H E
Swallows  0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 4 12 1
Tigers    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  4 0

Starting lineups

Swallows
1. Aoki (Centre)
2. Ueda (Left)
3. Tanaka (Second)
4. Hatakeyama (First)
5. Miyamoto (Third)
6. Balentien (Right)
7. Morioka (Short)
8. Aikawa (Catcher)
9. Tateyama (Pitcher)

Tigers
1. Hirano (Second)
2. Shibata (Centre)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Brazell (First)
6. Murton (Right)
7. Shunsuke (Left)
8. Fujii (Catcher)
9. Messenger (Pitcher)

The countdown is now ticking as the remaining games of Mayumi's managerial tenure tick out. This was another game using Fujii who we should thankfully see less of next year and he was his usual self - dismal, being replaced in mid game yet again. Messenger also wasn't on top form and struggled particularly after the second out. This actually started in the first Swallows innings. With two outs Tanaka singled to centre but Hatakeyama struck out looking - a fine pitch. Tateyama was nothing less than dominating though - he retired the batters in order with ease. Messenger was in more trouble in Swallows second - Miyamoto led off with a hit to right - rather a lucky contact but which landed safely. Balentien hit left and Swallows had runners on first and second with no outs. Morioka bunted the runners to second and third and then Aizawa attempted a sacrifice fly. Shibata took the catch but here we saw his main weakness, his weak throw. Even so the chance of the tag out remained but the relay was poor and Miyamoto was able to slide home 1-0 Swallows, runner on second. The final batter, was Tateyama who grounded out to end the innings. At this stage Messenger was throwing a lot of pitches which had trouble with the edge of the zone. Fujii should have paid more attention to this issue but didn't. Tigers second started with Arai grounding out and then Brazell hit deep into right. The ball bounced unkindly and Balentien fumbled allowing Brazell to take second. This looked promising but then Murton grounded out and Shunsuke (who looked totally out of his depth this game) struck out swinging to end the innings. Swallows third was Messenger's best and he struck out two and seemed to be back to his best. It wouldn't last. Tigers third was straightforward for Tateyama. Hirano failed at his second at bat and all evening couldn't get a handle on Tateyama.

Messenger showed his problem with the third out in Swallows fourth. Two outs down with Balentien next. The latter hit neatly to left centre for a two base hit. Morioka walked and then Aikawa hit over the infield into centre for a timely single 2-0 Swallows, runners on second and third. Swallows runners had used the opportunity well and moved round the bases very smoothly. Tateyama drew a walk and this brought Old Kubo out to talk with Messenger. A chat with Fujii might well have been a good idea as well. Finally Aoki flew out to left to end the innings. Tigers fourth was a mess. Shibata led off with a single and then Toritani hit into a double play. Arai singled and then Brazell grounded out - once a Tiger got on base another made sure that he didn't get far. Swallows fifth really finished Messenger - once again two outs and then Hatakeyama singled left. Miyamoto hit to centre and Hatakeyama was able to make third. Balentien hit left along the base line and over Arai bringing in a runner 3-0 Swallows, runners on second and third. Morioka hit to right and another run scored 4-0 Swallows, runners on first and third. This was enough and Messenger was replaced by Watanabe. He struck out Aikawa to end the innings but Swallows were in control. Tateyama ensured that Tigers fifth was quiet retiring the batters in order with the last batter being Fujii. He was having an awful game behind the plate and with the bat and would be replaced for Swallows sixth by Shimizu. Tsutsui took over pitching duties and with two out gave up a hit to Ueda. Ueda stole second - the throw from Shimizu being poor to say the least but Tsutsui was able to strike out Tanaka to end the innings. Tigers sixth followed a similar pattern, two outs and then a single to Shibata. This time Toritani struck out to end the innings.

Hatakeyama led off Swallows seventh with a walk and was bunted to second by Miyamoto. If anyone needs an illustration of a bankrupt philosophy this is it. A No. 5 batter bunting with a four run lead. It beggars belief. Balentien lined out to sharp catch by Arai and then Morioka flew out to Shibata at centre. Tigers seventh was just quiet with no one putting up that much resistance. Fujihara took over for Swallows eighth and whilst Shimizu might have been better than Fujii he wasn't much to write home about. Still Swallows were in cruise mode and all that came out of the innings was a two out walk to Aoki. Ueda, though, grounded out to end the innings. Once again Tigers eighth was quiet even with the addition of a pinch hitter - Uemoto. Tateyama's control was complete and it was clear he would be going for the complete game shutout. Swallows ninth started with a fly out by Tanaka. Hatakeyama hit and was pinch run for by Noguchi. He tried to steal second bu the throw was lower and gave Toritani more time to tag the runner out. Nishimura then gave up a hit to Miyamoto - Shimizu not being in the Komiyama class. However, the final out Balentien flew out to centre. Tigers ninth was another easy innings and Tateyama ended in style striking out Toritani looking for the final out. Swallows victory.

Tateyama had only needed 105 pitches and had given up four hits and no walks. Tigers had been outplayed but the use of the useless Fujii is beginning to get annoying. If he can't last a full game why put him in anyway. It seems likely that Nashida will be selected as new manager of Tigers. I would hope so and would prefer him to the two internal candidates; Wada (please no!) and Hirata. Rumours indicate that internally as well Tigers favour an outsider this time so we can hope.

It's great to hear that they're finally getting rid of Mayumi, but honestly not following PL that much I've no idea of how Nashida would suit us...maybe he'll do great, but I would have still liked it better if we'd gone after Ochiai instead...well, anyway I hope for some change next season, because another coupla seasons like the last ones would make me really think about rooting for another team, LOL

Is Ochiai not even being considered anymore? I read that the Tigers want to narrow their selection by the end of the season, but obviously Ochiai will be busy with his team in the postseason. It might be a gamble to hold off and pursue him after the season finishes, but I still think he's the best option. I do also think Nashida would be an obvious improvement over Mayumi, but I am concerned about the Fighters collapse in the second half this season.

It does seem that Ochiai is out of the running now. Maybe he wasn't interested though or maybe too radical and too much of a maverick for the overly-conservative Tigers management. Despite the obvious evidence of their needs they are still considering inexperienced internal candidates like Wada which says everything.

Well, if they are going to be so over-conservative, I'll have to be over-conservative with my money in buying tickets for Koshien next year. They have a short memory. The last time they went outside the organization and picked a maverick, it worked out very well with Hoshino.
The Tigers have to consider their priorities. Do they want to win? Or do they just want to support their OB network?

Now there's a good question. Conservative Japanese management doesn't see the need to change as long as it is OK and their memories are actually as long as those of a mouse. One hopes that Tigers are improved from that point but the rumours are that Hoshino was pushed out to make room for Okada and his health issues were just a smokescreen.
It all depends which faction of the Hanshin organisation has the control - the reformers and those who want to make money or those who just want a gravy train.

I do see this as a major cultural difference between American and Japanese sports. The recently departed Al Davis summed it up with his famous slogan "Just win, baby." In Japan, it's often more a case of "Just take care of the OBs no matter how incompetent they are and, oh, it would be nice to win if we can do that also." I'm not taking sides here, as I love the game in either country, but I do think the priorities are different. The recent sacking of Ochiai is further proof of that.