Seibu Lions Lions manager Fumiya Nishiguchi (53) revealed his candid reaction on the 17th to the appointment of his hometown senior, Masato Yoshii (61), as the new manager of Rakuten Eagles, saying, "I was surprised."

Both manager Nishiguchi and new manager Yoshii are from Wakayama Prefecture, with Yoshii being seven years older. Last season, they competed against each other as managers of Seibu Lions and Lotte, respectively.

The manager recalled his impression of manager Yoshii from last season, saying, "He was very theoretical, and it felt like he really used his head to play baseball." The team has a game Rakuten Eagles starting on the 22nd. "I plan to say hello when I see him at the stadium." The day of his "reunion" with his senior is fast approaching.