Senichi Hoshino, who managed the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles to the franchise's first Japan Series title last season, announced Thursday that he would resign at the end of the current season.
Speaking before the club's game against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Kobo Stadium, the 67-year-old Hoshino said the team's poor results forced his hand. Coming off their first Pacific League and Japan Series championship a year ago, the Eagles entered the day in last place, 19-1/2 games out of first place and nine games out of third place and the PL's final playoff spot.
"The primary reason is the team's results," said Hoshino, who was out of action from May 26 to July 25 due to back trouble that required surgery.