1. Introduction: Why Write About Shinjo Now?

Today, What I want to write about is Tsuyoshi Shinjo.
Actually, this blog is mainly about anime and manga, but I just can’t help writing about him right now.

Why am I so enthusiastic?

Because NPB— Nippon Professional Baseball — is at its climax, and Shinjo is the manager of a team contending for the Pacific League championship.
So do you know Tsuyoshi Sinjo? I’m confident he is one of the greatest figures in NPB history.

2. From Major League to NPB: The Return That Changed Everything

About 25 years ago, Shinjo was a major leaguer. He played for the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants. He was a great outfielder, but he didn’t have strong batting skills.

Honestly, I can’t say he fully succeeded in Major league Baseball, but still he won the NLCS with Barry Bonds and He became the first Japanese-born player to get a hit in the World Series.

Then, He came back  to NPB. At that time, the favorite teams had already been determined — all of them belonged to the Central League.  NPB has two leagues, just like now, but the Pacific League wasn’t popular in 2004, when Shinjo returned to Japan.

3. “This is the Pacific League from now on”: The Words That Sparked a Shift

One day, to everyone’s surprise, suddenly he told the media, “This is the Pacific League from now on”. I still remember that video.  At the time, of course I loved Shinjo, but most of the reason was that he belonged to my favorite team— the Hanshin Tigers —before going to the U.S. However, the words he said were so impressive. I still think about it now.  The Pacific League wasn’t popular at all — it was almost ignored.

But now, Japanese baseball fans are really into the League. I’m confident that all started from the words he said.

And now, He’s aiming for the championship as the manager of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. I’m really rooting for him and the team.

4. Legacy and Impact: How Shinjo Changed Japanese Baseball

I think most Japanese Baseball fans don’t even realize by now how great Shinjo was. Until he came to the Pacific League, it was merely an extra— NPB was centered by the Central League, with teams like the Yomiuri Giants or the Hanshin Tigers.

But now, all 12 teams have many avid fans. However, imagine this: If Tsuyoshi Shinjo hadn’t come back to Japan? What If he had retired as a Major Leaguer? I don’t believe NPB would be flourishing like it is now. As a Japanese baseball fan, I’m truly grateful to him.

5. Conclusion: Hoping for a Championship in 2025

Overall, Shinjo was more than a player— he was the second Shigeo Nagashima, who is considered one of Japan’s greatest baseball players and a legendary figure who helped make professional baseball popular in Japan, and Shinjo is a figure comparable to him and who played a key role in supporting the Pacific League.

Now, he may  be only manager,but I really want to see him become the Pacific League championship manager in 2025.