Chunichi manager Yamada virtually fired, Sasaki to replace

Chunichi manager Yamada virtually fired, Sasaki to replace

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons manager Hisashi Yamada (L) and baseball club President Junnosuke Nishikawa speak to reporters at a hotel in Hiroshima on Sept. 9 about the club ordering Yamada to ''take a rest.'' The order is widely seen as a virtual firing of Yamada due to the team's poor showing in the current season.

Free agent Tanishige signs 4-year deal with Chunichi

Free agent Tanishige signs 4-year deal with Chunichi

NAGOYA, Japan - Free agent catcher Motonobu Tanishige (C) beams after signing a four-year, 1 billion yen contract with the Chunichi Dragons on Dec. 27, flanked by Chunichi manager Hisashi Yamada (L) and President Junnosuke Nishikawa (R). The 31-year-old Tanishige, who will wear the No. 7 uniform, said he was ''happy to lead the best pitching staff in Japanese baseball.''

Free agent Tanishige signs 4-year deal with Chunichi

Free agent Tanishige signs 4-year deal with Chunichi

NAGOYA, Japan - Free agent catcher Motonobu Tanishige (C) beams after signing a four-year, 1 billion yen contract with the Chunichi Dragons on Dec. 27, flanked by Chunichi manager Hisashi Yamada (L) and President Junnosuke Nishikawa (R). The 31-year-old Tanishige, who will wear the No. 7 uniform, said he was ''happy to lead the best pitching staff in Japanese baseball.''

Chunichi manager Yamada virtually fired, Sasaki to replace

Chunichi manager Yamada virtually fired, Sasaki to replace

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons manager Hisashi Yamada (L) and baseball club President Junnosuke Nishikawa speak to reporters at a hotel in Hiroshima on Sept. 9 about the club ordering Yamada to ''take a rest.'' The order is widely seen as a virtual firing of Yamada due to the team's poor showing in the current season. (Kyodo)