TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe on suspicion of assaulting his 18-year-old daughter at their home on Monday, reports NHK (May 25).
According to investigative sources, Abe, 47, is accused of grabbing the collar of his eldest daughter and pushing her to the ground at the residence, located in Shibuya Ward.
The incident came to light after a Tokyo child consultation center placed an emergency call on Monday night, reporting to police that the girl ‘is being assaulted.”
Upon questioning, Abe admitted to the allegations. He reportedly told investigators the physical altercation occurred when he intervened to break up a fight between his 18-year-old daughter and her 15-year-old sister.
Police conducted a breathalyzer test, and alcohol was detected in his breath.
At the time, Abe, his wife and the two girls were all together in the residence. His wife and the 15-year-old daughter witnessed the incident, police said.
The former star player was released from Shibuya Police Station shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Police stated it will continue its investigation on a voluntary basis.
“Violence is unforgivable”
The arrest of an active professional baseball manager is highly unprecedented and has sent shockwaves through the sports world, occurring just hours before the start of the highly anticipated interleague games.
Giants Team President Toru Kunimatsu issued a swift apology to fans and baseball officials regarding the scandal.
“Violence is unforgivable, and we take this extremely seriously,” Kunimatsu said in a statement. “Causing such a major scandal on the eve of interleague play is deeply regrettable. We will consider disciplinary measures, including his future with the team.”
The Giants are scheduled to play their first interleague game against the SoftBank Hawks at Tokyo Dome at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The team announced that coach Hideki Hashigami will take over as acting manager for the foreseeable future.
Native of Chiba
Abe is a native of Chiba Prefecture. He attended Yasuda Gakuen High School in Tokyo and then Chuo University. As a catcher with a powerful bat, he joined the Yomiuri Giants in 2001 as their first-round draft pick.
He played as a regular from his first year, and from 2007 he was appointed captain, becoming a leading slugger in the baseball world. In 2012, he was selected as the Central League’s Most Valuable Player.
He also played for the Japanese national team, participating in two Olympic Games (Sydney and Beijing). He also represented Japan twice in the World Baseball Classic.
In his career, he played in 2282 games, recording a batting average of .284, 2132 hits, 406 home runs, and 1285 RBIs.
After retiring in 2019, he served as manager of the minor league team and coach of the major league team, and then took on the role of manager in the 2024 season. In his first year as manager, he led the team to a league championship. This year marks his third season leading the team.
