Rakuten Eagles announced on the 17th that former Lotte manager Masato Yoshii (61) will be taking over as their new manager. Yoshii held a press conference with owner Hiroshi Mikitani (61) in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. The statements from new manager Yoshii and owner Mikitani are as follows.

—You were appointed manager mid-season. What are your feelings right now?

吉井監督「異例な形での就任になったのですが、最初は正直、少し迷ったんですけど、やるぞと決めてからは覚悟を決まっています。戦う気持ちになっています」

—You mentioned having some doubts, but what was the biggest reason you ultimately made the decision?

Manager Yoshii said, "There are several reasons, but the biggest one was that owner Mikitani was really enthusiastic about inviting me, and I felt the strength of his passion for baseball, so I thought I had to accept."

—To Mr. Mikitani, the owner. It is very unusual to bring in a manager from outside the team in the middle of the season. What was the reason for asking Manager Yoshii to take on the role?

Owner Mikitani: "This year, we have begun a medium- to long-term initiative not only for the first team but for the entire organization. Unfortunately, we are currently in last place, but we have decided that it is very important to work on medium- to long-term initiatives, in addition to simply improving our performance in each game from now on. We met with Yoshii Masato, whom we had been keeping an eye on for some time, and after talking with him, he made the decision."

—What was the deciding factor in choosing Director Yoshii among all the options?

Owner Mikitani: "He has a proven track record as a player, winning numerous national championships. He has also played in Major League Baseball, and contributed to the Samurai Japan's world championship as a coach. In fact, I had the opportunity to speak with manager Hideki Kuriyama at that time, and this is a bit of an inside story, but he spoke very highly of Mr. Yoshii. After that, he took charge as both a coach and manager at Lotte. Not only does he have a wide range of experience, but he also holds a master's degree from the University of Tsukuba Graduate School, so he has a solid understanding of coaching theory, not just on the field but also theoretically. We have judged that he is the right person to build the foundation of the team going forward. We considered whether it would be better to make the offer mid-season or after the season ends, but it is only June, and in order to not waste this year, we have asked him to take on the role at this time."

—Your appointment came mid-season. What kind of support system is the team planning to provide going forward?

Owner Mikitani: "Rakuten Eagles team has been around for 23 years, but compared to other teams with histories of 60, 70, or 80 years, I think we still have some disadvantages. This isn't just limited to the first team; the entire team still has many challenges. We need to strengthen our organization. Up until now, it was more of a simple 'way baseball,' but modern baseball has evolved into a sophisticated sport that integrates not only technique, but also physicality, mentality, mechanics, and data. Unfortunately, we are a little behind. We will make significant investments in all aspects, including facilities, organization, and personnel, to become the strongest team possible. I hope Mr. Yoshii will demonstrate leadership as a core member of the team."

—To Manager Yoshii, once again, the team is currently in a tough situation with a deficit of 16 games. What do you plan to tackle first?

Manager Yoshii: "There are many things to consider, but I think there are also many good points from the managers who have been involved with The Eagles up until now, so we will take those into consideration and do what needs to be done one step at a time in order to win from now on. First and foremost, we need a strong determination to win. It may sound like a matter of mental strength, but I want everyone to reaffirm that once again and work towards it."

—Who are the key players on the team?

Manager Yoshii: "This involves everyone. We want to do this with everyone, both the young players and the veterans. We will do this with everyone, including the coaches and staff, not just the players."

—The game against Lotte on the 19th (at ZOZO Marine Stadium) will be your debut as manager. What are your feelings going into it?

Manager Yoshii said, "Since stepping down as manager of The Marines last fall, I've been looking forward to seeing the growth of the players I've worked with. I felt that way until very recently, but these things can happen in the baseball world, so I've come to terms with it and will approach them with the mindset of going in to beat them as opponents. Of course, deep down, I think it's nice to see the players I've worked with doing their best, but when I put on the uniform and it's game time, I want to fight with all my might."

—There are still nearly 80 games left this season. What are your goals for the season?

Coach Yoshii: "As long as there's a chance, we want to aim for the championship. It's not easy, so some people might think, 'What are you talking about!', but as a group of professionals, this is an absolute rule, so we will not give up and will work towards that goal until there's no possibility left."

—Finally, do you have a message for your fans?

Manager Yoshii: "I've been speaking in Kansai dialect a bit, and it might be unfamiliar to people in Tohoku, but we'll do our best, so we'd be grateful if you could support The Eagles even more than before. Thank you."

—To owner Mikitani. Expectations for new initiatives.

"Modern sports are increasingly evolving around data. I think we need a translation function to translate that data into strategy. In that sense, I think we need people like Mr. Yoshii who have experience on the field, experience as a player, have seen the world, and have actually led teams. Another extremely important thing is a 'winner's mentality.' If you don't have the will to win, no matter how much data you have, no matter how good your technique is, it's meaningless. I want them to instill a win mentality."

—What is Director Yoshii's term of office?

Owner Mikitani: "We've opted for a medium- to long-term contract."

—Taking on the role mid-season presents its own challenges. What are your plans and vision for team management this year?

Manager Yoshii said, "I need to carefully assess what The Eagles are capable of and what they are not. I know I can't do it alone, so I'll rely on the help of General Manager Ishii, who is here with us. I also think there are many staff and coaches who know The Eagles well, so I hope we can move forward while maintaining good communication."