October 20, 2007
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MLB官方授權中文網站 譯者:丁泰祥／綜合報導
忘記那些熟悉的大聯盟教練的名字，堪薩斯市皇家今天確定，明年將由希爾曼(Trey Hillman)擔任新任總教練，他今天同意了皇家提出的一份複數年份的合約。
希爾曼是何許人也？在美國也許很多人不知道，不過在日本他可是赫赫有名的，因為他帶領日本職棒北海道日本火腿鬥士隊拿下去年的日本第一，今年又是太平洋聯盟冠軍，等待中央聯盟冠軍出線，希爾曼目前正在準備日本職棒總冠軍賽（Nippon Series、日本シリーズ）。
44歲的希爾曼曾經擔任過紐約洋基小聯盟教練12年，2003年擔任日本火腿監督，2006年拿下日職總冠軍，今年他打敗瓦倫泰(Bobby Valentine)領軍的千葉羅德海洋，成為第一位衛冕聯盟冠軍的洋監督。
希爾曼將在美國時間星期一飛往堪薩斯城參加他的加盟記者會，不過他今天先發表了一篇聲明表示，這是一個美好的恩惠，而且是絕佳的機會能夠把皇家建立成一支常勝軍，我將加入這支有傳統和驕傲的球隊，能夠和大家一起分享我成功的經驗。
希爾曼的名字是在托瑞(Joe Torre)拒絕擔任洋基總教練後才浮出檯面，他也曾經是洋基繼任人選之一。
The Official Site of The Kansas City Royals
Hillman is Royals' choice for manager
Former Minor League skipper joins KC after five years in Japan
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- Forget all those familiar names you might have been sifting through as candidates to be the new Royals manager. Trey Hillman is the guy.
Hillman was named the Royals manager early Friday afternoon after he agreed to a multi-year contract. Because Hillman is in Japan, preparing his Nippon Ham Fighters for the finals of the Japan Series, he will not be introduced to Kansas City until Monday afternoon.
Although Hillman's name is not well known among U.S. fans, he's famous in Japan for his success there and is respected in this country for his success as a Minor League manager for the New York Yankees.
"In baseball circles and on national level, this couldn't be perceived as a better hire. There's not a more qualified person out there to lead our team in the direction where we want to go and what we're trying to do," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said.
"This guy is about relationships and success. He's been a winner his whole life and that's what fans want. Fans want a winner. There are a lot of guys with great bubble-gum cards that aren't great managers."
Hillman will fly from Japan to Kansas City for a news conference at 2 p.m. CT on Monday. But, in a statement released by the Royals, he said: "This is a wonderful blessing and a great opportunity to build a winner in Kansas City. I'll be joining an organization with tradition and pride while working with individuals that share my vision for success."
Moore also announced that pitching coach Bob McClure would be retained from the staff of former manager Buddy Bell. The status of the other coaches was not announced.
"There's a demand for pitching coaches and our guy is in demand and we needed to move forward to get him in the mix," Moore said.
Hillman's name first surfaced as a Royals managerial possibility late Thursday night after Joe Torre's rejection of the Yankees' offer to return as manager. Hillman, who managed for 12 years in the Yankees' organization, was rumored to be a candidate to succeed Torre and the Royals weren't about to let that interfere with their choice.
Hillman, 44, became the Fighters' manager in 2003 and they won the Japan Series title in 2006. On Thursday, his club defeated Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines to win the Pacific League title and again advance to the finals.
"This year, they're back in the Japan Series with a team that's virtually last in every offensive category," Moore said.
After five years in Japan and leading the Fighters to a 351-324 (.520) record, Hillman had already decided not to return to the Sapporo-based team in 2008.
A product of the University of Texas-Arlington, Hillman was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a shortstop and played three seasons in the Minors before becoming a scout. Then he joined the Yankees' organization as a coach in 1989 and became a manager the next year.
In 1999, he managed Triple-A Columbus to an 85-88 mark and was the International League's manager of the year in 2000. After managing Columbus in 2001, he was the Texas Rangers' director of player development in 2002.
Then, he went to Japan, where his popularity grew with the Fighters' increasing win totals. He even opened a restaurant called "Hillman's Hangout," featuring Texas foods.
Hillman and his wife Marie have two children, T.J. and Brianna, and make their permanent home in Arlington, Texas.
Initial speculation was that Moore, who came to the Royals from Atlanta, might hire a manager with Braves ties such as hitting coach Terry Pendleton. There also were hunches that he might be interested in an experienced manager such as Ken Macha or Jim Fregosi, or an in-house candidate like Frank White.
In the end, Moore outflanked everyone by making a hush-hush trip to Japan last week to talk to Hillman, whom he'd never met. Moore was well acquainted with Hillman's reputation, however, and got input from two of his special assistants, Louie Medina and Rene Francisco, who knew Hillman.
Hillman has never played, coached or managed in the Majors Leagues. Does that concern Moore?
"Not at all -- just because of all his experience," Moore said. "A lot of people view the Japanese major leagues [as being like the] Major Leagues. In a lot of aspects, it's more challenging to go a culture that is night-and-day different from how you were raised and what you grew up in as a baseball setting as well."
Of the last seven Royals managers, Hillman is the sixth who had no previous Major League managing experience. Bell did, but those who came before him -- Tony Pena, Tony Muser, Bob Boone, Hal McRae and John Wathan -- did not.
In addition to his Japan experience, Moore believes that Hillman's years of managing in the Yankees system are a plus.
"It's very demanding and full of expectation and pressure to do well," Moore said. "He won at every level -- he was manager of the year at three different levels."
This is not the first time that Hillman was a Major League managing candidate. Last year he was interviewed by three clubs -- San Diego, Texas and Oakland -- before they hired others.
He told USA Today at the time: "I've been dreaming about managing in the Major Leagues ever since I knew I couldn't make it as a player."
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北海道日本ハムファイターズ公式サイト
ヒルマン監督一時帰国のコメント
「日本シリーズを控えた重要な時期に、数日間チームを離れることを心苦しく思います。一時帰国は本意ではありませんが、異国間におけるスケジュールの相違を避けられぬことをお許しください。来季、２００８年より、カンザスシティロイヤルズの監督に任命されましたことを大変うれしく思います。新天地の決定は、自身の人生の新たなスタートを意味します。しかし、今の私には、日本シリーズならびにアジアシリーズを制覇することに全力を尽くし、ファイターズの２００７年シーズンを全うすること以外、ありません。 このたびは、北海道日本ハムファイターズより、私事への最大限のご配慮とご理解を賜りましたことに、心より感謝いたします。私は、素晴らしい球団の元、素晴らしい人々に囲まれていることを実感いたします。そして何より、最高の選手たちに恵まれました。再来日（23日帰札予定）を心待ちにいたしております。」
北海道日本ハムファイターズ
監督 トレイ・ヒルマン
忘記那些熟悉的大聯盟教練的名字，堪薩斯市皇家今天確定，明年將由希爾曼(Trey Hillman)擔任新任總教練，他今天同意了皇家提出的一份複數年份的合約。
希爾曼是何許人也？在美國也許很多人不知道，不過在日本他可是赫赫有名的，因為他帶領日本職棒北海道日本火腿鬥士隊拿下去年的日本第一，今年又是太平洋聯盟冠軍，等待中央聯盟冠軍出線，希爾曼目前正在準備日本職棒總冠軍賽（Nippon Series、日本シリーズ）。
44歲的希爾曼曾經擔任過紐約洋基小聯盟教練12年，2003年擔任日本火腿監督，2006年拿下日職總冠軍，今年他打敗瓦倫泰(Bobby Valentine)領軍的千葉羅德海洋，成為第一位衛冕聯盟冠軍的洋監督。
希爾曼將在美國時間星期一飛往堪薩斯城參加他的加盟記者會，不過他今天先發表了一篇聲明表示，這是一個美好的恩惠，而且是絕佳的機會能夠把皇家建立成一支常勝軍，我將加入這支有傳統和驕傲的球隊，能夠和大家一起分享我成功的經驗。
希爾曼的名字是在托瑞(Joe Torre)拒絕擔任洋基總教練後才浮出檯面，他也曾經是洋基繼任人選之一。
The Official Site of The Kansas City Royals
Hillman is Royals' choice for manager
Former Minor League skipper joins KC after five years in Japan
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- Forget all those familiar names you might have been sifting through as candidates to be the new Royals manager. Trey Hillman is the guy.
Hillman was named the Royals manager early Friday afternoon after he agreed to a multi-year contract. Because Hillman is in Japan, preparing his Nippon Ham Fighters for the finals of the Japan Series, he will not be introduced to Kansas City until Monday afternoon.
Although Hillman's name is not well known among U.S. fans, he's famous in Japan for his success there and is respected in this country for his success as a Minor League manager for the New York Yankees.
"In baseball circles and on national level, this couldn't be perceived as a better hire. There's not a more qualified person out there to lead our team in the direction where we want to go and what we're trying to do," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said.
"This guy is about relationships and success. He's been a winner his whole life and that's what fans want. Fans want a winner. There are a lot of guys with great bubble-gum cards that aren't great managers."
Hillman will fly from Japan to Kansas City for a news conference at 2 p.m. CT on Monday. But, in a statement released by the Royals, he said: "This is a wonderful blessing and a great opportunity to build a winner in Kansas City. I'll be joining an organization with tradition and pride while working with individuals that share my vision for success."
Moore also announced that pitching coach Bob McClure would be retained from the staff of former manager Buddy Bell. The status of the other coaches was not announced.
"There's a demand for pitching coaches and our guy is in demand and we needed to move forward to get him in the mix," Moore said.
Hillman's name first surfaced as a Royals managerial possibility late Thursday night after Joe Torre's rejection of the Yankees' offer to return as manager. Hillman, who managed for 12 years in the Yankees' organization, was rumored to be a candidate to succeed Torre and the Royals weren't about to let that interfere with their choice.
Hillman, 44, became the Fighters' manager in 2003 and they won the Japan Series title in 2006. On Thursday, his club defeated Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines to win the Pacific League title and again advance to the finals.
"This year, they're back in the Japan Series with a team that's virtually last in every offensive category," Moore said.
After five years in Japan and leading the Fighters to a 351-324 (.520) record, Hillman had already decided not to return to the Sapporo-based team in 2008.
A product of the University of Texas-Arlington, Hillman was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a shortstop and played three seasons in the Minors before becoming a scout. Then he joined the Yankees' organization as a coach in 1989 and became a manager the next year.
In 1999, he managed Triple-A Columbus to an 85-88 mark and was the International League's manager of the year in 2000. After managing Columbus in 2001, he was the Texas Rangers' director of player development in 2002.
Then, he went to Japan, where his popularity grew with the Fighters' increasing win totals. He even opened a restaurant called "Hillman's Hangout," featuring Texas foods.
Hillman and his wife Marie have two children, T.J. and Brianna, and make their permanent home in Arlington, Texas.
Initial speculation was that Moore, who came to the Royals from Atlanta, might hire a manager with Braves ties such as hitting coach Terry Pendleton. There also were hunches that he might be interested in an experienced manager such as Ken Macha or Jim Fregosi, or an in-house candidate like Frank White.
In the end, Moore outflanked everyone by making a hush-hush trip to Japan last week to talk to Hillman, whom he'd never met. Moore was well acquainted with Hillman's reputation, however, and got input from two of his special assistants, Louie Medina and Rene Francisco, who knew Hillman.
Hillman has never played, coached or managed in the Majors Leagues. Does that concern Moore?
"Not at all -- just because of all his experience," Moore said. "A lot of people view the Japanese major leagues [as being like the] Major Leagues. In a lot of aspects, it's more challenging to go a culture that is night-and-day different from how you were raised and what you grew up in as a baseball setting as well."
Of the last seven Royals managers, Hillman is the sixth who had no previous Major League managing experience. Bell did, but those who came before him -- Tony Pena, Tony Muser, Bob Boone, Hal McRae and John Wathan -- did not.
In addition to his Japan experience, Moore believes that Hillman's years of managing in the Yankees system are a plus.
"It's very demanding and full of expectation and pressure to do well," Moore said. "He won at every level -- he was manager of the year at three different levels."
This is not the first time that Hillman was a Major League managing candidate. Last year he was interviewed by three clubs -- San Diego, Texas and Oakland -- before they hired others.
He told USA Today at the time: "I've been dreaming about managing in the Major Leagues ever since I knew I couldn't make it as a player."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
北海道日本ハムファイターズ公式サイト
ヒルマン監督一時帰国のコメント
「日本シリーズを控えた重要な時期に、数日間チームを離れることを心苦しく思います。一時帰国は本意ではありませんが、異国間におけるスケジュールの相違を避けられぬことをお許しください。来季、２００８年より、カンザスシティロイヤルズの監督に任命されましたことを大変うれしく思います。新天地の決定は、自身の人生の新たなスタートを意味します。しかし、今の私には、日本シリーズならびにアジアシリーズを制覇することに全力を尽くし、ファイターズの２００７年シーズンを全うすること以外、ありません。 このたびは、北海道日本ハムファイターズより、私事への最大限のご配慮とご理解を賜りましたことに、心より感謝いたします。私は、素晴らしい球団の元、素晴らしい人々に囲まれていることを実感いたします。そして何より、最高の選手たちに恵まれました。再来日（23日帰札予定）を心待ちにいたしております。」
北海道日本ハムファイターズ
監督 トレイ・ヒルマン
