Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo has
decided to sit out the upcoming Major League Baseball exhibition
tour of Japan.
Shinjo, who received the most votes in fan balloting, decided not
to play for Japan's team in the Nov. 2-8 exhibition series.
``I want to thank all the fans for making me No. 1 in votes,''
Shinjo said in a statement released by tournament organizers
Wednesday. ``But I have decided to sit out this series in order to
give younger players a chance.''
Shinjo, who is retiring at the end of the season, said he wants
to bring his career to close with the completion of the Japan
Series.
Shinjo's Fighters take on the Central League champion Chunichi
Dragons in the Japan Series beginning Oct. 21 at Nagoya Dome.
