Japan Series-winning Orix Buffaloes manager Satoshi Nakajima was named the winner of the Matsutaro Shoriki Award on Tuesday over 22-year-old Triple Crown-winning slugger Munetaka Murakami, who received a special award instead.
The Shoriki Award, named after the visionary owner of the Yomiuri Giants who created Japan's first pro league, has been handed by the selection committee to the Japan Series-winning manager since 2001 with only four exceptions.
The award is given annually to the manager or player who makes the greatest contribution to Japanese professional baseball.
SoftBank Hawks chairman Sadaharu Oh, Japan's career home run leader, whose best single-season total of 55 in 1964 was unsurpassed until 2013, recommended Murakami.
"He had an overwhelming impact," said Oh of Murakami, who hit 56 homers this season en route to becoming Japan's youngest Triple Crown winner.
Another committee member, former Chunichi Dragons ace Shigeru Sugishita, wanted Nakajima for the award as the panel split over who to select.
"Everyone was perplexed," said former Hiroshima Carp slugger Koji Yamamoto, who praised Nakajima.
"Starting with his management from last year, he won any number of tight games and the Japan Series."
Nakajima's award comes with 5 million yen ($34,000) in prize money, while Murakami will receive 3 million yen.
