Baseball Jun 4, 2022
Samurai Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama brings own unique style to dugout
by Jim Allen
Kuriyama established a track record as someone who is unbound by convention during his time as manager of the Fighters.
Baseball / MLB Mar 18, 2022
MLB labor deal opens door for Shohei Ohtani to play in 2023 World Baseball Classic
The 2023 WBC, originally scheduled for March 2021, was in doubt until MLB agreed on a new labor deal with its union.
Japanese Baseball Dec 1, 2021
Shohei Ohtani mentor Hideki Kuriyama to become new Japan manager
The 60-year-old is credited with masterminding Ohtani's development as a two-way star while a member of the Fighters, before his move to the Los Angeles Angels.
Japanese Baseball Nov 2, 2021
Shohei Ohtani mentor Hideki Kuriyama leaves Nippon Ham manager role
The 60-year-old masterminded the development of the Los Angeles Angels star when many initially questioned the decision to give him the chance to both pitch and bat.
Japanese Baseball | Sac Bunts Oct 17, 2021
Departing Fighters manager helped Shohei Ohtani find his footing
by Jason Coskrey
Hideki Kuriyama won two PL pennants and a Japan Series in Sapporo, but his greatest accomplishment may have been his contribution to the Angels two-way star's development.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Oct 16, 2021
Shohei Ohtani's mentor Hideki Kuriyama to step down as Fighters manager
Nippon Ham Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama, who orchestrated Shohei Ohtani's development as a two-way star, announced Saturday that he will step down at the end of the season.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Oct 2, 2019
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters agreed to a one-year contract with manager Hideki Kuriyama after the Pacific League club finished the 2019 season with a disappointing fifth-place finish. Next year will be Kuriyama's ninth season with the Sapporo-based club, making the 58-year-old's stint in the ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | Sac Bunts Apr 8, 2019
Fighters' experiments with openers not going well early
by Jason Coskrey
The ironic thing about the Seibu Lions blowing up the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' "opener" strategy — in such a magnificent explosion of hits and runs on Saturday it might close the book on the opener — is that Fighters starter Takayuki Kato, the ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Dec 19, 2018
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters finalized their deal for one of the biggest stars of Taiwanese baseball on Wednesday, signing a three-year contract with outfielder Wang Po-jung in Taipei. A two-time Chinese Professional Baseball League batting champion for the Lamigo Monkeys, the 25-year-old Wang is ...
Baseball / MLB Apr 2, 2018
Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama 'relieved' by Shohei Ohtani's strong start with Angels
The day after the Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani won his pitching debut, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama said Monday he was relieved to see the two-way talent start off in style since making his move from the Nippon Professional Baseball team. "I ...
Baseball / MLB Jan 8, 2018
Angels GM Billy Eppler meets with Fighters to seek advice about Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler met with Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters officials on Monday to seek advice in preparation for slugging ace pitcher Shohei Ohtani's move to the majors. Eppler asked Fighters officials, including manager Hideki Kuriyama, about how to make use of ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | HIT AND RUN Dec 25, 2017
Fighters have to look for successor as Ohtani says goodbye
by Jason Coskrey
Generous Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters fans gathered at Sapporo Dome on Christmas Day to put a bow on the present they spent the last five seasons wrapping, one the Los Angeles Angels can't wait to open during spring training. The MLB-bound Shohei Ohtani said his ...