Oh Announces Retirement

» 23 September 2008 » In npb »

It’s official: Oh has announced that he’s stepping down at the end of the season. Unfortunately, Oh’s Hawks are 10 games under .500 with 9 remaining to play, so we won’t see an inspired run to the playoffs down the stretch.

Oh’s announcement doesn’t come as much of a surprise. As I mentioned in last night’s post, he’d suffered from stomach cancer in 2006. Although this is likely the end of his time in professional baseball in Japan, he left the door open for future involvement in Japan baseball during his press conference: “If there is a need in Japan baseball and I’m asked, I think I should cooperate”.

Sanspo has a photo retrospective looking at Oh’s 14-year career managing the Hawks.

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  1. Patrick
    simon
    23/09/2008 at 9:37 am Permalink

    A world class thank you to Wan-chan for his 50 years of service to NPB as the best slugger ever and competent manager. I was initially surprised that he came back from stomach cancer surgery to manage the team again. I hope he will take on an ambassadorial role for NPB and direct the leagues in the right direction along with the new commissioner. But for now, otsukaresamadeshita.

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  1. [...] his retirement as the coach of the Softbank Hawks (福岡ソフトバンクホークス, hat tip to NPB Tracker). Oh is the answer…