MARINES OWNER DENIES PLAN TO MOVE TEAM

It has not been the happiest of seasons for Japan’s Lotte Marines president Ryuzo Setoyama. Already in hot water with fans in Chiba after it was announced that manager Bobby Valentine would not be brought back in 2010 after his contract expires this year, Setoyama has had to address rumors that the Marines are planning to relocate from their current home of Chiba Marine Stadium.

A memo was leaked last month that quoted Setoyama as saying, “If we have unworthy fans like this, let’s move,” in response to criticism of the decision to release Valentine at season’s end. The team president admitted that such a memo did exist, but added, “This is no joke. This is a forgery.” Setoyama says an investigation into the memo will be conducted at Lotte corporate headquarters.

Valentine is one of the most successful gaijin managers in Japanese baseball history. Now in his seventh year with the Marines, the former Major Leaguer led Lotte to their first Japan Series win in 31 seasons in 2005. Last year, Lotte missed a spot in the Pacific League Climax Series playoffs by finishing fourth in the standings.