No matter how they fare in league action, Senichi Hoshino has kept his faith in the players he believes can propel Japan to Olympic glory.

Taking an elusive Olympic baseball gold medal back to Japan is the mission assigned to a man known for his passion in the field and dugout as a player and manager. Hoshino was well aware of it from day one as national team skipper.

"I only need the gold — not any other color," Hoshino said when he was introduced in January 2007 as national manager, looking ahead to what could be the final Olympic baseball tournament.