The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Friday named colorful former outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo as their next manager after the Pacific League club fell short of the postseason for the third straight year under outgoing skipper Hideki Kuriyama.
The 49-year-old Shinjo began his career with the Central League's Hanshin Tigers and played for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants before returning to Japan with the Fighters in 2004.
He contributed to the club's 2006 Japan Series championship and retired at the end of the season.