Waterloo Whiskey Jacks Name Takashi Miyoshi as Franchise’s First Manager

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The Waterloo Whiskey Jacks of the East Coast Baseball League (ECBL) have named Takashi Miyoshi as their first field manager in franchise history. The 36-year-old is believed to be the first Japanese-born manager of a professional baseball team in North America.

Miyoshi has spent the last two seasons as an infield coach with the Grande Prairie Air Hogs of the American Association. He began his professional playing career in 2003 as a second baseman for the London Monarchs of the Canadian Baseball League. He only appeared in four games for the club that season. He played four games in Japan’s Golden Baseball League as a member of the Japan Samurai Bears and played in five games in 2009 as a member of the Victoria Seals. Along the way, he was worked and played alongside some baseball legends, including Warren Cromartie, Darrell Evans and Bill Buckner.

Miyoshi hopes to become the first Japanese-born manager in Major Leagues and believes this will be a huge step towards reaching that goal.

The ECBL plans to have a 48-60 game schedule for their inaugural season which is set to begin in May. Each team will carry 22 players on their roster during the regular season and players can be expected to make $500-$850 a month.

Anton Joe is an Independent League Baseball Writer for Baseball Essential. You can follow him on Twitter @AntonJoe_BBE.