Hideki Kuriyama

Hideki Kuriyama (栗山 英樹, Kuriyama Hideki, born April 26, 1961) is a Japanese former baseball manager and player. He managed the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball for ten seasons from 2012 to 2021, leading them to a Japan Series title in 2016. Kuriyama also managed for the Samurai Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, leading the national team to its third Classic title and the first since 2009.

Hideki Kuriyama
Kuriyama in 2023
Outfielder / Manager
Born: (1961-04-26) April 26, 1961 Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
Batted: Both Threw: Right
debut
October 8, 1984, for the Yakult Swallows
Last appearance
October 9, 1990, for the Yakult Swallows
Career statistics
Batting average	.279
Home runs	7
Hits	336
Managerial record (NPB)	684–672
Winning %	.504
Teams
As player Yakult Swallows (1984–1990) As manager Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2012–2021) Japan (2023)
Career highlights and awards
As Player Central League Golden Glove Award (1989) As Manager Japan Series champion (2016) Matsutaro Shoriki Award (2016)
Medals Men's baseball Manager for Japan World Baseball Classic 2023 Miami Team

Kuriyama also planned to be a teacher at Tokyo Gakugei University, but pursued a career in baseball instead, signing with the Yakult Swallows. His career came to a short end after an injury in 1990, and like other short careered baseball players, he pursued a career within sports media. He is also well known as the mentor of the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who was drafted by the Fighters despite him wanting to pursue an MLB career instead.

Kuriyama retired from management following the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

External links

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)