Hillman to Manage Fighters

No, Eric Hillman isn't making his triumphant return to the Pacific League. Instead, current Rangers' AAA manager Trey Hillman is taking over the Nippon Ham Fighters for two years, bringing what is hoped to be Major League style baseball to Sapporo when the Fighters move in 2004.

The Fighting Ham had been considering a new manager since before their parent company's current meat subsidies scandal that saw a shake-up company wide, the ball club's president, included. The last I had read anything about their search, a foreign manager was under consideration, but former BayStars' manager Akihiko Ohya was at the top of their list.

Of note, the Japanese press is pushing Hillman's connections with the Yankees more than his currently being the manager of the Rangers' AAA team. This most likely is due to the Yankee - Giant connection going on now (with the possibility of Matsui heading that way). But it is also noted that Hillman is known by some of Nippon Hams' staff from when they had ties with the Yanks (13 years up until June of this year). It is hoped that this connection will help prevent miscommunication, as was a major problem between Valentine-kantoku and Hirooka-GM (and spies) back with the 1995 Marines.

Nikkan Sports also is reporting that former Yankee batting coach Gary Dembo will be joining Hillman in his quest to reserect the Fighters.

I hope that the Fighters can become a team that Sapporo is proud to host by 2004. They're showing that they're seriously trying to put it all together despite their current bad PR. Gambare Fighters!