You might think Fukuoka Softbank Hawks manager Koji Akiyama is worried about the coming season and successfully defending his 2011 Japan Series championship. After all, he's lost three of his best pitchers and his All-Star shortstop from 2011.
However, Akiyama appears relaxed and confident in TV interviews from the Softbank spring training site in Miyazaki, and with good reason.
Thanks to team owner Masayoshi Son, president and CEO of the Softbank telecommunications and Internet corporate empire, the ball club has replaced the departed stars with a load of talent that should at least keep the Hawks in pennant contention this season with a great shot at repeating last November's JS victory.