Oh's Tenure Comes Full Circle; Akiyama Named New Manager

In 1995, Sadaharu Oh was named manager of the hapless Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. He was given the seemingly impossible task to revitalize a once-proud franchise that had left Osaka for Fukuoka once Daiei bought the team in the 1980's. At first, Oh was unsuccessful in putting a winning team on the field, and even had rotten eggs thrown at the team bus when they returned to Osaka for a game.

Key veteran additions like Koji Akiyama, Ishige, and some outstanding drafts that netted future Major League players Johjima and Iguchi, and one of the best young pitching rotations Japan had ever seen in 2003 in Kazumi Saitoh, Tsuyoshi Wada, Toshiya Sugiuchi, Hayato Terahara, and Nagisa Arakaki helped Oh finally turn the once-hapless team around. In Oh's tenure, the Hawks made three appearances in the Japan Series in 1999, 2000, and 2003, winning in '99 and '03.

However, Oh had his share of health problems. In 2006, during an exciting pennant chase between his Hawks, the Matsuzaka-led Seibu Lions, and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Oh missed most of the season with stomach cancer. Third-base coach Moriwaki took over in Oh's absence, but since then, Oh's health has always been a concern, especially considering how he lost his wife, Kyoko, to the same stomach cancer he had. That year proved to be a good one for Oh, all things considered, as he led Japan to the inaugural World Baseball Classic title.

However, in 2008, there was definitely something different about Oh's team. He admitted in his farewell speech to his players that he had been pushing them harder than normal this year, and it didn't help that most of the team was snakebitten by injuries. Oh said at the beginning of the season that it would likely be his last year, and he was correct. Fourteen seasons, two Japan Series championships, and three Pacific League titles were in his resume for his tenure as Hawks manager, but this year the Hawks went someplace they hadn't since 1996: last place in the Pacific League.

The play of Oh's Hawks at the end of this season was almost reminiscent of when he first took over: the team had trouble in almost every aspect of the game. Many key players came back from injuries, but too late, and not many of them felt 100%. He also made some puzzling decisions during the year in terms of personnel.

So where do the Hawks go from here, possibly their most disappointing season this decade? The Hawks started by promoting head coach and former Hawk Koji Akiyama to the managerial position. The 46-year old Akiyama has a passion and flair for the game that few have seen, and he proved to be an able manager, as he managed the Hawks ni-gun team with success, and he was a trusted member of Oh's staff. Unlike Oh, Akiyama has a good core, young players to deal with, which he's used to, and he also has a swagger about him that makes him not only likable, but also charismatic.

However, the front office needs to hold up their end of the bargain as well. Akiyama can't do it himself, and the offense needs a young slugger, and also a set-up man to solidify a shaky bullpen. Hawks fans can expect success from Akiyama, he will be a fine manager.