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.

VALENTINE INTERESTED IN USA SKIPPER’S JOB IN 2013 WBC

Whatever one thinks of straight-shooting Bobby Valentine, they can’t say he lacks confidence. Valentine is a former major league player and manager now entering the final year of his contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League. While he’s not sure of where he’ll be next year, he’d like a crack at changing the United States’ fortunes in the next World Baseball Classic.


Valentine said last week the first thing he’d do as manager of Team USA in 2013 is bring in players with more of a desire to win the event. “It seems like there’s a little more passion and a little more desire to do your best from the Japanese players,” Valentine said. He went on to say he would interview players prior to the next WBC to determine who would work harder to win the tournament.

Valentine, a former outfielder who managed the New York Mets to the 2000 National League pennant is in his sixth season with the Marines, who he led to a title in 2005. His contract with the team is reportedly worth $3.9 million this season, and is not expected back in 2010 because of the global economic crisis.