The Chunichi Dragons on Friday named their former star infielder Kazuyoshi Tatsunami as the new manager of the Central League club, while the Pacific League's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks confirmed second-team manager Hiroshi Fujimoto will be promoted as their new skipper.
The 52-year-old Tatsunami, whose club record 2,480 hits is the eighth-most in NPB, accepted an official offer from the club, which is looking to shore up its lackluster offense after finishing fifth in the CL this year.
Tatsunami, known by fans as "Mr. Dragons," will hold a press conference later in the day as he replaces Tsuyoshi Yoda, who is stepping down at the end of his three-year contract.