Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura answers a question by a reporter on Oct. 19 after the Central League club granted his request for a move to the major leagues in the offseason via the posting system. ''You only get one chance like this in your baseball career and I don't want to have any regrets,'' Iwamura said following his talks with Yakult President Yoshikazu Tagiku.

Furuta agrees to become player-manager for Yakult

Furuta agrees to become player-manager for Yakult

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows catcher Atsuya Furuta (R) shakes hands with club President Yoshikazu Tagiku on Oct. 18 after coming to agreement on a two-year deal that will make him the first player-manager in 29 years in Japanese professional baseball. Furuta, 40, takes over from Tsutomu Wakamatsu who stepped down at the end of the season after a seven-year stint.

Furuta agrees to become player-manager for Yakult

Furuta agrees to become player-manager for Yakult

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows catcher Atsuya Furuta (R) shakes hands with club President Yoshikazu Tagiku on Oct. 18 after coming to agreement on a two-year deal that will make him the first player-manager in 29 years in Japanese professional baseball. Furuta, 40, takes over from Tsutomu Wakamatsu who stepped down at the end of the season after a seven-year stint. (Kyodo)

Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura answers a question by a reporter on Oct. 19 after the Central League club granted his request for a move to the major leagues in the offseason via the posting system. ''You only get one chance like this in your baseball career and I don't want to have any regrets,'' Iwamura said following his talks with Yakult President Yoshikazu Tagiku. (Kyodo)