Ichiba inks informal contract with Rakuten

Ichiba inks informal contract with Rakuten

TOKYO, Japan - Former Meiji University right-hander Yasuhiro Ichiba (R), who received money from several pro baseball clubs in violation of draft eligibility rules, smiles with Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles general manager Marty Kuehnert after signing a provisional contract with the newly formed baseball club in Tokyo on Nov. 9. ''I've caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people but I want to repay my debt of gratitude by playing my best,'' said Ichiba. ''My goal is to win 15 games and receive the Rookie of the Year Award.''

(3)Rakuten selected over Livedoor as new team

(3)Rakuten selected over Livedoor as new team

TOKYO, Japan - Marty Kuehnert (L), general manager of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Hiroshi Mikitani (C), president of Internet shopping mall operator Rakuten Inc., and Yasushi Tao, manager of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 2 after they were allowed by a meeting of baseball club owners to join Japanese professional baseball next season.

TV commentator Kuehnert tapped as GM of Rakuten team

TV commentator Kuehnert tapped as GM of Rakuten team

TOKYO, Japan - Sports commentator Marty Kuehnert speaks at a press conference Oct. 5. after Rakuten Inc., Japan's largest online shopping mall operator which has applied to create a new professional baseball team, announced it has appointed the 58-year-old Kuehnert, also a columnist and university professor, as general manager.

TV commentator Kuehnert tapped as GM of Rakuten team

TV commentator Kuehnert tapped as GM of Rakuten team

TOKYO, Japan - Sports commentator Marty Kuehnert speaks at a press conference Oct. 5. after Rakuten Inc., Japan's largest online shopping mall operator which has applied to create a new professional baseball team, announced it has appointed the 58-year-old Kuehnert, also a columnist and university professor, as general manager. (Kyodo)

(3)Rakuten selected over Livedoor as new team

(3)Rakuten selected over Livedoor as new team

TOKYO, Japan - Marty Kuehnert (L), general manager of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Hiroshi Mikitani (C), president of Internet shopping mall operator Rakuten Inc., and Yasushi Tao, manager of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 2 after they were allowed by a meeting of baseball club owners to join Japanese professional baseball next season. (Kyodo)

Ichiba inks informal contract with Rakuten

Ichiba inks informal contract with Rakuten

TOKYO, Japan - Former Meiji University right-hander Yasuhiro Ichiba (R), who received money from several pro baseball clubs in violation of draft eligibility rules, smiles with Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles general manager Marty Kuehnert after signing a provisional contract with the newly formed baseball club in Tokyo on Nov. 9. ''I've caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people but I want to repay my debt of gratitude by playing my best,'' said Ichiba. ''My goal is to win 15 games and receive the Rookie of the Year Award.'' (Kyodo)