*This content was translated by AI.
Lotte Giants of Korea's professional baseball league has recruited a living legend with 286 saves in the Japanese professional baseball (NPB). The main character who was also inducted into the Japanese Hall of Fame. It is Shin-go Takatsu (58), who also played in the KBO League in the past. Lotte explained the background of the recruitment, saying, "I look forward to delivering know-how to the club based on abundant experience." Japan, a "neighbor country," also showed keen interest in Takatsu's trip to Lotte.
Lotte said on the 3rd, "We recruited Takatsu Shin-go as a special advisor to systematically foster the team and discuss the team's direction."
Regarding Takatsu Advisors, Lotte said, "I joined the NPB Yakult Swallows in the third round of the 1990 draft and played as the team's main player. He continued his career in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and the Taiwan Baseball Organization (CPBL). "After retirement, I was named in the Japanese Hall of Fame," he explained.
Takatsu, who began his leadership career as a player-manager at Niigata BC, served as a pitching coach and second-tier coach for many years as a member of the Yakult Swallows. He successfully fostered his team based on his excellent communication skills. From 2020 to last year, he led the team as the first-team coach of the Yakult Swallows and even won the Japanese series."
Lotte General Manager Park Joon-hyuk explained the background of the recruitment through the club, saying, "We are thinking deeply about how to strengthen the team," adding, "Based on our years of experience as players and leaders in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, we decided that it would be able to contribute to the systematic development of the team and the performance of the first team."
Takatsu actually played in the KBO League. He joined the Woori Heroes (current Kiwoom Heroes) in 2008 and played in 18 games with one win and eight saves with a 0.86 ERA. At that time, he had 16 hits (one homer) and five walks in a total of 21 innings with 18 strikeouts and two runs (two earned) that hit four bodies. One homer was allowed against Kim Tae-wan on July 30, 2008, against the Hanwha Eagles.
The Japanese media also showed great interest in Takatsu's trip to Lotte. Japanese media Tokyo Sports said, "Takatsu has been appointed as an advisor to the Lotte club in Korea," adding, "When acquiring foreign and Asian players, it will play an important role in grasping detailed information using local officials and networks."
Another Japanese media outlet Sankei Sports also said on the same day, "Takatsu headed to Lotte in Korea not long after he quit as head coach. It is reported that he has a strong desire to put himself in the world of victory," he reported. He then said, "He has played on the Korean stage in the past. He said, "It's been 18 years since he joined the Korean team." Japanese media Sponichi Annex also said, "Takatsu headed to the Lotte club in Korea based on his rich experience," adding, "He marked 27 saves in MLB and 286 saves in NPB, respectively. I've tried Korean baseball before," he wrote.
Regarding Takatsu, Lotte said, "Based on his experience as a player in various leagues and his abundant know-how as a leader, I will support the club as a special advisor for Lotte in the 2026 season." When recruiting foreigners and Asian quarter players, it will also play an important role in grasping detailed information by utilizing local officials and networks. We also give and receive feedback on the overall direction of player growth and help them choose the most effective way to foster them, he stressed.
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*This content was translated by AI.
