Former Seibu Lions star Hatsuhiko Tsuji is to be appointed as the Pacific League club's new manager, a team source revealed Sunday.
Tsuji, who will hold a press conference on Monday, was the infield and tactical coach for the Central League's Chunichi Dragons this season. He suddenly became the prime candidate to replace Seibu skipper Norio Tanabe, who last week announced he will resign at the end of the season.
The 57-year-old Tsuji, who joined the Lions out of the corporate leagues in 1984, won eight Golden Gloves at second base, and led the PL in batting average in 1993. He and Tanabe were teammates and double-play partners for several seasons.
In addition to his other coaching experience, Tsuji managed the Dragons' farm team to two Western League pennants in three seasons.
The Lions are among the PL's top scoring teams and lead the league in doubles and home runs, but their 101 errors this season are the most in Nippon Professional Baseball. The Lions outscored their opponents this season by one run, 619 to 618, but finished 12 games under .500.