It was learned on the 15th that Masato Yoshii (61), the former manager of Rakuten Eagles Eagles. The team is currently languishing at the bottom of the league with a deficit of 16 games. Since the announcement on the 10th that manager Hajime Miki (49) would be taking a leave of absence, head coach Tatsuya Shiokawa (43) has been serving as acting manager, but Yoshii is expected to take charge from the first game of the season since the league resumes on the 19th against his former team, the Chiba Lotte Marines (at ZOZO Marine Stadium). The team will be looking to turn things around under the new manager, who has been appointed at an unusual time in the middle of the season.

While Yoshii has many stories of passionate outbursts during his playing career, as the manager of the Lotte Marines, he has never shown anger towards the media. Whether it was a dramatic walk-off win or a crushing defeat, he seemed to make an effort to remain calm and composed when responding to interviews, trying not to show any emotional fluctuations.

Nevertheless, being a former pitcher himself with extensive coaching experience, he would use harsh words when pitcher pitch poorly. Last season, after Roki Sasaki left the team to join the Dodgers, he repeatedly told Kojima and Taneichi, whom he had placed high hopes on as the team's left-handed and right-handed aces, "We'll be in trouble if these two don't step up." Of course, he conveyed his thoughts not only to the media but also directly to the players, demonstrating his commitment to communication. For pitcher, Yoshii's advice, based on his experience and theories, was beneficial and insightful, and was readily accepted.

When Yoshii stepped down as manager of the Lotte Marines last season, which ended in last place in Pacific League for the first time in eight years, he participated in a ceremony held at ZOZO Marine Stadium and gave a speech. "I am sorry to the fans for causing you disappointment this season. I am also sorry to the staff, coaches, and players for causing you disappointment. The results are entirely my responsibility. I really wanted to continue a little longer, but I am stepping down as manager today," he said, shedding tears and showing signs of regret. Less than a year later, he has been given the chance to try again as manager. Being a passionate person by nature, he must already be burning with desire inside.

◆Masato Yoshii: Born April 20, 1965, in Wakayama Prefecture. Age 61. Joined Kintetsu in 1983 as the second overall pick in the draft after graduating from Minoshima High School. Transferred to Yakult in 1995, and joined the Mets as a free agent in the offseason of 1997. After playing for three MLB teams, Orix Buffaloes in 2003. Transferred to Lotte midway through the 2007 season and retired that same year. Served as a coach for Nippon-Ham from 2008 to 2012, Softbank Hawks in 2015, Nippon-Ham from 2016 to 2018, and Lotte from 2019 to 2022. Managed Lotte from 2023 to 2025. His career record in Japan and the US is 547 appearances, with 121 wins, 129 losses, and 62 saves. Right-handed pitcher and batter.