JAPAN – Sadaharu Oh, who has left his post as manager of the Softbank Hawks for health reasons, has been appointed as a special adviser to Japanese baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato ahead of next year’s World Baseball Classic.

Kato made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday, explaining that Oh’s opinions as the championship manager for Japan at the inaugural WBC tournament in 2006 are invaluable.

”He is the championship manager of the first WBC tournament and we hope to gain from his knowledge,” said Kato.

”For the second tournament you can guarantee that the United States as well as Latin America and others are going to have a more serious attitude about playing. It’s essential that we get his cooperation in order to build the strongest possible team.”

Early last month, Oh reiterated his stance that he will not become Japan’s manager for the second WBC being held in March 2009 due to health concerns.

Senichi Hoshino, who disappointed with a fourth-place finish as manager of the national team at the Beijing Olympics, has also said he will not lead Japan in the WBC.

The 68-year-old Oh underwent a successful operation to remove his stomach after being diagnosed with stomach cancer four months after guiding Japan to the inaugural WBC title.

The commissioner has formed a committee, which is scheduled to meet next Wednesday, to address the WBC managerial problem. Oh, Hoshino as well as Rakuten Eagles manager Katsuya Nomura are expected to attend.

Click here for more Japanese Baseball news

Tags: Japan