Akinobu Okada (岡田 彰布, Okada Akinobu) (born November 25, 1957) is a Japanese baseball manager and former player who manages the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). (wikipedia)
Our rally was a little late, but things are by no means over.
It is hard to keep the other guys off the board all night. He controlled the game, and for a guy his age, you just have to bow your head in appreciation.
Nakata was pretty good. Of course, one hit would have changed everything.
Everyone waited a long time for this. It's a great feeling to clinch the pennant here in this park against the Giants.
When you get a young pitcher who has been pitching well...you want to get him on the ropes and keep him there.
I had a feeling in spring training that this team had the potential to go all the way. We have the best pitching staff in Japanese baseball and our batting order is strong from top to bottom.
Today on the greatest stage possible, we did it.