TOKYO (Kyodo) — The Nippon Ham Fighters on Sunday announced a contract extension for Tsuyoshi Shinjo as manager of the Hokkaido-based club, which is heading into the postseason after narrowly missing out on the Pacific League pennant.
In his fourth year at the helm, the 53-year-old Shinjo skippered the Fighters to their second straight runner-up finish behind the SoftBank Hawks with 83 wins, 57 losses and three ties.
Known for making headlines with his larger-than-life personality, Shinjo has helped rejuvenate the Fighters by confidently backing younger players and promoting them into the first team.
The former New York Mets and San Francisco Giants outfielder had more losses than wins in his first two seasons as a manager before gradually developing Nippon Ham into a title contender.
The club will aim for its first PL pennant since 2016 next season.
