Former Hanshin Tigers outfielder Jerry Sands (2020-21) has been appointed international scout by the team. At the same time, Andy Sheets (2005-07) has stepped down from that same position. The move will take effect in January 2023.
According to the club’s official website, the men made the following comments:
Sands: “After playing for the Tigers during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, I made the decision to retire from professional baseball in June of this year. I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to once again become a member of the Tigers as they offered me the position of international scout here in America. It’s not the same position as being a player, but I will use my experiences playing in different parts of the word, the wisdom I gained, and hope to not only find great import players for the Tigers, but also to follow up and support them once they’ve joined the team. I am excited for the day when I will get to meet the best fans in the world once again.”
Sheets: “I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to play three years and scout for 14 years for this outstanding organization. I’m stepping down as scout, but this team has an extremely bright future ahead of it, and I am proud to be able to call myself a member of the team. I will always be a part of this team, and I am so thankful to the Tigers fans. You are undoubtedly the greatest fans in the whole world. I am now joining the fan base, and hope to take in a game at Koshien Stadium with you fans, with an ice-cold beer in hand. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been involved with me throughout my career.”
On a side note, I also asked Jerry how he felt about the new job. He had this to say: “I am excited. Still get to be involved in the game. I was hoping to get into scouting so I started telling teams I was looking to do it. Just so happened not long after they told me Andy was retiring. Timing was awesome. Jeff (Williams) and I will split the country in half most of the time.”