By now, you’ve probably noticed that I am not particularly fond of Hanshin manager Tomoaki Kanemoto. I liked him some in his first year, though he was really learning the job on the fly. In his second year, he started to come into his own, but he also started grating on my nerves, as heard in Episode 71 of the H-TEN podcast (released in October 2017).
I thought this season might be different, what with the acquisition of a ringer and the emergence of even more youth. But even in the early going this season, I found a few things I didn’t like about his management style… the first reason I still don’t like Kanemoto is his inability to get the best out of his players. That would normally be alright, if you have a strong coaching staff. But Hanshin doesn’t. (The anointing of Akihiro Yano as farm manager has really hurt the top squad, in my opinion. Love Yano, but he was the only guy who could keep Kanemoto in check.
As for the second reason, he makes all sorts of bone-headed in-game decisions. The squeeze plays even after three failed attempts in the same at bat. And one that didn’t make the last deadline: pinch-hitting Kai Ueda and pinch-running Ryutaro Umeno at the same time. HUH? Don’t you prefer putting the FAST guy on the paths???
Still, neither of those reasons holds a candle to reason #3:
The Bus Drivers are Tired of Running Over the Players
April 6, 2018 – Down a run in the bottom of the ninth, Umeno failed to lay down a squeeze bunt on the fourth pitch of his at bat after he (or the pitcher) missed on the first three. He bunted into a game-ending double play and the Tigers lost.
Kanemoto: “You have to be able to lay down that bunt. It’s a mental issue.”
Who are YOU calling mental?
June 5, 2018 – Down a run in the bottom of the fifth, Yusuke Ohyama led off with a double. Predictably, Kanemoto uses Umeno to bunt him over to third. Then he brings in pinch hitter bunter Fumiya Hojoh for the squeeze play. His bunt is awful, but he reaches first on an error. Next batter, Ueda, is also called on to bunt, He fouls one, switches to hitting, strikes out. No run scores.
Kanemoto: “I don’t have any expectations that they’re going to get a hit in that situation, which is why I employ the safety squeeze.”
And: “What have they been practicing all this time, anyways?”
Gee, I dunno… hitting, perhaps? Let’s clarify this for everyone: you called Hojoh up from the farm because he had been HITTING well, used him as a pinch HITTER, but you had no expectations that he was going to get you a HIT???
June 9, 2018 – Up a run in the fifth, the Tigers have runners on first and third, and Umeno is at the plate. We all know what’s coming here. Yes, even the opponents. And so when the pitcher throws out of the zone (to prevent the squeeze), the catcher deftly picks off the runner at third, whose lead was a little too big. Out. Rally killer.
Kanemoto: “He (Umeno) should have pulled his bat back more quickly, which is why the runner got thrown out.”
It wasn’t your insistence on sticking with the squeeze through four pitches?
June 10, 2018 – Nothing is going well for the team, and our manager is frustrated.
Kanemoto: “The hitters better put in more effort, and the coaches better start thinking harder about what they’re doing. Something’s got to be done. They’re hanging the pitchers out to dry.”
But you’re not. No… everybody’s to blame except you, Kanemoto.
There is pretty much a quote per loss, and has to be a little annoying for the players. I know that is the case for fans.
ただただ選手を批判する監督にだけはなって欲しくない。。
ミスをした時こそ俺の責任！と選手を守ってあげるコメントを見たいな。。
ファンとして、新しいタイガースに超変革させてくれると信じた監督だからこそ言わせてもらう。。
ここからの「執念」信じてます！— 陣内智則 (@jinnai_tomonori) June 6, 2018
Even super-fan celebrity Tomonori Jinnai said, “I don’t want him to become the type of manager who does nothing but criticize his players. I want to hear him make comments that show a willingness to protect his players and take responsibility for losses and mistakes.”
That makes two (million) of us.