The Yomiuri Giants have announced that former manager Shinnosuke Abe will return to the team’s front line roughly four months after resigning. Abe stepped down as manager early in the season, and is now rejoining the club just as it has been picking up form in the late stages under interim skipper Shinji Hashigami. Reaction on 5ch was split: some posters were harsh, arguing “he clearly hasn’t reflected enough,” pointing out that his resignation came with a vow to quit drinking, while others welcomed the move as reinforcement for the Climax Series push, noting the team’s win rate against the Hanshin Tigers had dropped since Abe left.
Former Manager Shinnosuke Abe Returns to the Giants, Back on the Field 4 Months After Resigning (published September 8, 2026) – Livedoor News
Coming back as manager right away would make it look like he hasn't reflected at all — start him off as 'Assistant Manager' Shinnosuke Abe.
7AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:04
Guess they can't do the champagne shower even if they win it all —
alcohol's banned now.
13AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:07
He swore off booze, not off coming back to the team — nothing we can do, just accept it.
16AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:08
Next season's Yomiuri Giants manager: Shinnosuke Abe.
This is really happening.
17AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:08
He went on in that interview all humbled about how he'd tarnished the Giants manager's job — so this shouldn't be happening.
24AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:10
Re: #17
It's the other way around — his return was already decided, so they ran the remorse story to beg the public's forgiveness first.
18AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:09
Seriously, being part of the elite really does mean you're never guilty, huh ("jōkyū kokumin" — slang for untouchable elites).
19AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:09
Are you serious. Guess I'll go ask ChatGPT ("Chappy") what to do about this.
20AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:09
Can't have an outsider like Hashigami actually going and winning it all, now can they.
21AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:09
Guy's unemployed, that's rough —
just hire him as a ball boy or equipment manager.
23AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:10
The last piece for the Giants to take back the title falls into place.
25AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:10
Felt like it was going to be Matsui though (fans had been expecting Hideki Matsui to get the nod).
27AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:11
Could he go hang out with guys like Sho Nakata — the free agent who decked someone — or Shun Yamaguchi, who assaulted people at a hospital?
30AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:12
My local Yomiuri Shimbun branch had *just* finally taken down the Abe Shinnosuke poster too.
32AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:13
The alcohol company sponsors aren't gonna love this.
33AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:13
Spare a thought for Hashigami — stuck cleaning up after this guy and getting an earful from Hirooka on top of it.
41AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:22
Didn't they start winning once Abe left?
48AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:27
They stopped beating the Tigers after Abe left, so bringing him back in time for the Climax Series actually makes sense.
57AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:34
Re: #48
Since Hashigami took over it's 3-9 against the Tigers — makes you suspect it's because Hashigami's a Tigers alum.
50AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:30
The players actually look like they're enjoying themselves right now — this is gonna kill the mood again.
51AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:31
Giants morale collapses, Tigers take the pennant!!!
52AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:32
Just have ChatGPT set the lineup and call the plays.
53AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:32
There's nobody else anyway.
56AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:34
Re: #53
Just bring Hara back then.
54AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:33
And they'd finally started winning too.
58AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:35
Compared to what Hiroshima's going through, this is nothing.
61AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:37
＞It's already September, so even calling it a 'return,' it's probably more of an advisory role.
＞He likely won't be in uniform, so the impact on games should be limited.
Alright, thread's over then.
62AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:37
This'll boost morale, I guess —
though that's probably the whole point.
66AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:42
Everyone involved in this must feel so awkward…
69AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:48
Bet the Tigers fans are loving this.
73AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:50
Re: #69
More like they're shaking in their boots — with Hashigami still in charge they could go after the Giants directly.
71AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:49
Great, pennant's a lock now.
72AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:50
Apologizing by email, lol — guess like father, like son, lol.
74AnonymousSep 8, 2026 15:52
What face is he even going to make while he starts the power harassment back up?
95AnonymousSep 8, 2026 16:06
・Front office gets to fire manager Hashigami for 'failing to win the pennant'
・Abe comes back, the team stumbles, so they can finally let Abe go too
・Meanwhile Hashigami gets credit for holding the team together and lands a coaching or front-office job next year
Nothing but upside here.
99AnonymousSep 8, 2026 16:07
Re: #95
So who's actually managing the team then?
107AnonymousSep 8, 2026 16:20
Ha, good luck with that (lol)
108AnonymousSep 8, 2026 16:24
Re: #107
Don't come crying later.
Background and Talking Points
Shinnosuke Abe took over as Giants manager in 2024 but resigned early this season, with coach Shinji Hashigami taking over the reins ever since. Reports at the time of his resignation said he showed contrition, including a vow to give up alcohol, and the thread’s jokes leaned heavily on that detail. As the quoted article notes, this “return” is believed to be more of an advisory role rather than Abe putting the uniform back on and calling the shots himself — though most of the thread’s reactions treated it simply as a “return to managing” without factoring that in, so the actual scope of his involvement will have to wait for an official announcement from the club. Posters also cited conflicting numbers for the team’s record under Hashigami, especially against the Tigers, so it’s best to check primary sources for the exact figures.
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