On the 18th, Softbank Hawks announced that it had signed a new three-year contract with manager Hiroki Kokubo (54). Next season was the final year of his three-year contract, but the contract has been revised to run through the 2028 season. Kokubo led the team to consecutive league championships for the second consecutive year since his first season in charge last year, and this year he led the team to its first Japan Series title in five years. He also received the Shoriki Matsutaro Award, given to the manager or player who has made the greatest contribution to the development of professional baseball. Confirmed for a long-term reign, the manager commented through the team, "I will continue to inherit Oh's philosophy and build a strong team under my leadership, incorporating cutting-edge techniques." Next season, The Hawks will aim for their first three consecutive league championships since relocating to Fukuoka.
General Manager Sugihiko Mikasa (51) explained, "We decided to bring him in at this timing, as we wanted him to focus on becoming number one in Japan for the second consecutive year and winning the league for the third consecutive year, rather than waiting for the final year of his contract." He also praised him, saying, "He is aware of his own duties and has excellent coordination skills in strengthening the team."
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・ [Softbank Hawks] Manager Hiroki Kokubo signs new three-year contract. Next season, the team aims to win the league title for the third consecutive year, a first since the team moved to Fukuoka.
・ [Softbank Hawks] President Yoshimitsu Goto declares that manager Hiroki Kokubo will continue in his position next season, saying, "Why should we change the manager who won the championship?"
・ Softbank Hawks asks manager Hiroki Kokubo to continue in his role, team president says, "Of course. There's no way we're going to replace him."
・ [Softbank Hawks] Manager Hiroki Kokubo receives Shoriki Matsutaro Award for the first time, leading the team to its first Japan Series title in five years as "the culmination of the efforts of the entire organization."
・ "Strategic Time" is a book that the struggling manager Hiroki Kokubo loved to read, and it's the book that led Softbank Hawks from last place to consecutive championships.
