Trey Gives Bobby the Cold Shoulder
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Some rights reserved.
Nippon Ham manager Trey Hillman is hyping up the first opening day match in history between two foreign managers with a tongue lashing. In reaction to an audacious poster produced by Lotte to promote the game to held on the 24th, Hillman said he's giving Bobby the silent treatment. His aim is to raise interest in the game by making a hoopla out of this incident.
Hillman-kantoku grinned slyly during the pre-game practice. "I'm outraged. I'm not talking to him anymore, period" he said to a group of reporters who erupted in laughter. The "hostility" has its roots in a poster Lotte produced for the opening game, the first one of its kind Lotte has made in the past 2 years. The poster reads "Shinjirarenaaaai! (Unbelievable!) They aren't the same team as last year!" and has other antagonizing phrases towards the Fighters. Hillman noticed this ad in today's newspaper, and exclaimed "I'm mad as hell." In other words, he's throwing the gauntlet down, albeit, in a humorous manner.
Hillman's anger is a calculated act, and he said he's doing this "to motivate the fans. We want to build up the excitement in Japanese baseball, and invite everyone to join the fun on Opening Day." Hillman is taking on the role of opening day salesman for the Pacific League, but we're sure to see real fireworks on the ground.