Local News

Head coach Koji Akiyama will be formally named the new manager of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks to replace Sadaharu Oh when the season ends, it was learned. Akiyama spend eight years as a player with the Hawks after playing 10 years with the Seibu Lions, and then went on to be the manager of the Hawks’ minor league team and their head coach. During his stellar playing career, Akiyama was the Japan Series MVP twice, was the home run and stolen base champion one time each, won 11 Gold Glove awards, appeared in the All-Star game 18 straight times, and became the only Japanese player to hit 30 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.