Yakult's Furuta Announces Retirement
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Re: Yakult's Furuta Announces Retirement
[ Author: BigManZam | Posted: Jun 11, 2007 6:44 PM
| CLM Fan
]
He probably should've just been full-time manager and never even tried the player-manager route. It was a nice gimmick, but he didn't exactly put up Nomura numbers as a player-manager. I know he's been the face of Yakult for over a decade, but it was pretty stubborn of him to refuse retirement.
Re: Yakult's Furuta Announces Retirement
[ Author: Yakulto | Posted: Jun 11, 2007 8:28 PM
| TYS Fan
]
If it is retirement, then it's the end of a magnificent and successful playing career. One of the all-time greats to wear a Swallows shirt, that's for sure.
But to be honest, I think this is the right move. He really has more than enough on his plate managing the team without trying to get his aging body in good enough shape for the ichi-gun. Plus it'll allow our two other catchers, Yoneno and Fukukawa, free reign to concentrate at coming on as players and claiming the starting catchers' position that Furuta has so magnificently filled these last years (whether or not they're up to the challenge is another matter).
Hopefully he can convert his playing success into success as a manager - only time will tell if he can.
But to be honest, I think this is the right move. He really has more than enough on his plate managing the team without trying to get his aging body in good enough shape for the ichi-gun. Plus it'll allow our two other catchers, Yoneno and Fukukawa, free reign to concentrate at coming on as players and claiming the starting catchers' position that Furuta has so magnificently filled these last years (whether or not they're up to the challenge is another matter).
Hopefully he can convert his playing success into success as a manager - only time will tell if he can.
Re: Yakult's Furuta Announces Retirement
[ Author: Deanna | Posted: Jun 12, 2007 5:35 AM
| NIP Fan
]
Dang! Guess I'll have to try to hunt down one of those Daida, Ore ("A pinch-hitter is me!") shirts sooner rather than later.
I think no matter what happens he'll still go down in history as one of the greatest Japanese catchers ever. And fortunately, he's of great enough stature and a popular enough guy with the fans that it'd be unlikely they'd fire him as manager unless the team continues to struggle like this for a few seasons, right? Hopefully he can turn things around a bit as a manager if he doesn't have to worry about his own playing condition.
I think no matter what happens he'll still go down in history as one of the greatest Japanese catchers ever. And fortunately, he's of great enough stature and a popular enough guy with the fans that it'd be unlikely they'd fire him as manager unless the team continues to struggle like this for a few seasons, right? Hopefully he can turn things around a bit as a manager if he doesn't have to worry about his own playing condition.
Re: Yakult's Furuta Announces Retirement
[ Author: Yakulto | Posted: Jun 12, 2007 10:48 AM
| TYS Fan
]
I believe I read somewhere recently that Yakult management have already stated that they won't be firing Furuta this year regardless of the standings, as they see this year as a transitional/rebuilding year.
I have no doubt he'll turn things around, and as you say, his standing and popularity both in the game and amongst the fans means that he should get at least a couple more seasons to prove himself as an able manager.
After all, he is (and has been for some time) the face of the Swallows, and having him as manager raises our profile significantly. Firing him would be a monumental mistake, that even the Yakult front office aren't idiotic enough to make (touch wood).
I have no doubt he'll turn things around, and as you say, his standing and popularity both in the game and amongst the fans means that he should get at least a couple more seasons to prove himself as an able manager.
After all, he is (and has been for some time) the face of the Swallows, and having him as manager raises our profile significantly. Firing him would be a monumental mistake, that even the Yakult front office aren't idiotic enough to make (touch wood).
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At the time of this writing, the reports are mixed. According to the above Sponichi article, Furuta-kantoku is making room for an infielder spot and is going to work hard himself to get back to ichi-gun playing status.
However, Nikkan Sports' paper version today has the headline over the front page stating "Furuta Retires." OK. So I should never believe the first page headlines. But the introduction to the article also states that Furuta has decided that his self demotion is, in fact, a retirement as a player. Pain in his right shoulder has kept him benched, and Furuta feels that he needs to concentrate more on managing the Swallows out of last place in the Central League.
Furuta has only played in two games so far this season, including his 2,000th career game on April 19 against Yokohama where he went 0 for 5 and was ejected from the game for foul language.