Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters skipper Hideki Kuriyama, who led the Pacific League team to its first Japan Series title in 10 years this past season, won the Matsutaro Shoriki Award on Thursday.

Kuriyama, 55, took the prize in a unanimous vote by a five-member selection committee. He is the first member of Nippon Ham to win the award, which is presented annually to recognize individuals for their contribution to professional baseball in Japan.

"To be frank, this (award) is too heavy. If possible, I would like to decline," Kuriyama said. "All of the things the Fighters have done since moving to Hokkaido (from Tokyo in 2004) led to becoming No. 1 in Japan this year. I think this is an award for everyone on the ballclub."