After winning for the third consecutive year the Sawamura Award for the best starting pitcher, Olympic baseball gold medallist, Premier12 and World Baseball Classic winner Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned his third consecutive Pacific League gold glove in what will likely be his last Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) season. The 25-year-old Orix Buffaloes right-hander intends to listen to Major League Baseball (MLB) offers.
Yamamoto is not the only Olympic gold medallist awarded with a gold glove by the Pacific League. Seibu Lions shortstop Sosuke Genda won the award for the sixth consecutive time. Speeding outfielder Kensuke Kondo (Fukuoka Softbank Hawks) won the award for the first time.
The 2023 Japan Series champions Hanshin Tigers dominated the Central League gold gloves.
Outfielder Koji Chicamoto, the Japan Series MVP, earned the award for the third consecutive year. Catcher Seishiro Sakamoto, first baseman Yusuke Oyama, second baseman Takumu Nakano and shortstop Seiya Kinami won the award for the first time. Nakano helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Hanshin manager Akifu Okada received the Central League Manager of the Year Award.
The Pacific League manager of the year is Satoshi Nakajima of the Orix Buffaloes.
The NPB Awards night is scheduled for Tuesday 28 November.
