Tadahito Iguchi, a member of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox and a three-time Japan Series winner, will manage the Chiba Lotte Marines next season, according to sources Tuesday.
Although a long list of Japanese players have competed in the majors, the 42-year-old Iguchi will be the first Japanese former big leaguer to manage in NPB. The team is expected to make the announcement on Thursday with a press conference to follow on Saturday.
Prior to his career finale on Sept. 24, the last-place Marines had offered Iguchi the job to replace outgoing skipper Tsutomu Ito. Although Iguchi was inclined to accept, he did not want to distract the club from trying to end the season on a winning note.