This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
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Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
I'm thinking of the last two seasons where his decline was obvious and it really needed the management to step in and end the streak. No player should be involate or untouchable but be included in a team because they are performing well. Of course, they should be given a chance to prove themselves but if they don't do so, they should be replaced by others. Kanemoto started last year superbly but then faded rapidly and there was a good case for removing him at the end of May. This year he started quietly and with his shoulder injury wasn't able to contribute as he should have. In fact his injury did cost a run in one case (Kamei's sacrifice in the game on April 14th). However, it was not the team management who made the decision but the player himself. Tigers management have been far too weak with poorly performing players and it is to Kanemoto's credit that he finally realised that it was time to end the streak. A rest will do him a lot of good and I feel that when he returns he will be reinvigorated. Good luck to Arai in the No. 4 slot and welcome aboard Kanoh as the new left field.