Kimiyasu Kudo set to become new Chunichi Dragons manager

Kimiyasu Kudo, the former SoftBank Hawks manager who led his team to five Japan Series titles, is set to become the new manager of the Chunichi Dragons. This appointment follows the announced resignation of Kazuki Inoue, who stepped down after a season in which the team struggled with a 60-81-2 record.

Kudo, a native of Nagoya, is expected to lead a rebuilding effort for the Dragons, who have faced long-term struggles, including six consecutive seasons finishing in the bottom tier of the standings. Unlike previous managers who were often former players for the club, Kudo is an external hire with no prior history as a player or coach for Chunichi.

Historically, the Dragons attempted to sign Kudo as a player during his time with the Seibu Lions and Daiei Hawks, but those efforts were unsuccessful. His arrival as manager marks a significant shift for the organization as they look to address pitching issues and revitalize the team.