Swallows name Manaka as new manager

Swallows name Manaka as new manager

TOKYO, Japan - New Yakult Swallows manager Mitsuru Manaka attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 8, 2014. Manaka succeeded Junji Ogawa, who resigned due to the cellar-dwelling club's poor results.

Swallows skipper Ogawa to step down

Swallows skipper Ogawa to step down

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Sept. 17, 2014, shows Junji Ogawa (R back), manager of the Central League's Yakult Swallows, and the team's batting coach Mitsuru Manaka (L back), watching a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo. Ogawa, 57, told a press conference on Sept. 22 that the club has accepted his decision to resign at the end of the season due to the cellar-dwelling club's poor results. Manaka, 43, is a strong candidate to take over.

Swallows sign Aussie outfielder Dening

Swallows sign Aussie outfielder Dening

Newly acquired Yakult Swallows outfielder Mitch Dening (L) shakes hands with Junji Ogawa, senior director of the club, at a press conference in Tokyo on May 26, 2015. Dening was a member of Australia's 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic teams. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: New foreign players introduced by Yakult

Baseball: New foreign players introduced by Yakult

Yakult Swallows general manager Junji Ogawa (C) poses for a photo with (from L) new pitchers Cy Sneed and Rick Vandenhurk, outfielder Domingo Santana and infielder Jose Osuna after an introductory press conference in Tokyo on April 19, 2021.

Swallows name Manaka as new manager

Swallows name Manaka as new manager

TOKYO, Japan - New Yakult Swallows manager Mitsuru Manaka attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 8, 2014. Manaka succeeded Junji Ogawa, who resigned due to the cellar-dwelling club's poor results. (Kyodo)

Swallows skipper Ogawa to step down

Swallows skipper Ogawa to step down

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Sept. 17, 2014, shows Junji Ogawa (R back), manager of the Central League's Yakult Swallows, and the team's batting coach Mitsuru Manaka (L back), watching a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo. Ogawa, 57, told a press conference on Sept. 22 that the club has accepted his decision to resign at the end of the season due to the cellar-dwelling club's poor results. Manaka, 43, is a strong candidate to take over. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Ogawa determined to revive Swallows' fortunes

Baseball: Ogawa determined to revive Swallows' fortunes

Junji Ogawa poses during a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 5, 2017, after the Yakult Swallows announced that he will manage the Central League baseball club next season. Ogawa managed the team on an interim basis in 2010 and four full seasons through 2014. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Ogawa determined to revive Swallows' fortunes

Baseball: Ogawa determined to revive Swallows' fortunes

Junji Ogawa speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 5, 2017, after the Yakult Swallows announced that he will manage the Central League baseball club next season. Ogawa managed the team on an interim basis in 2010 and four full seasons through 2014. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Yakult to bring back Ogawa as new manager next season

Baseball: Yakult to bring back Ogawa as new manager next season

Photo taken in January 2015 shows former Yakult Swallows manager Junji Ogawa. The Swallows are looking to return Ogawa to the helm for the 2018 season, according to a source close to the matter. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo