Takamatsu Named New Field Manager of Maple Leafs
TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball Club is ecstatic to announce today that Garrett Takamatsu has been named the new field manager of the baseball team.
Takamatsu, the 2021 IBL MVP and 2018 IBL Rookie of the Year, takes over the position effective immediately.
The 24-year-old began this season as a player for the Leafs before signing a professional contract with the Quebec Capitales of the Frontier League in May.
From there, he batted .291-.377-.370. before returning to Toronto last week.
Now, he becomes the youngest field manager in franchise history and replaces Topolie, who has been in the role since 2013.
Topolie said he could not think of a better person for the job than Takamatsu, who is one of the best baseball players in the province of Ontario.
"The fact that Tak wanted to stay involved in any role that we could offer him shows me his true character and the person that he is. He is a fantastic baseball player but is an even better human being."
Takamatsu said it is an honour to hold the position that he now holds as he officially returns to an organization that has meant so much to him.
"It will definitely be a new experience for me. Of course, I wish I could help the team on the field considering the injuries that have occurred. Unfortunately, there are some things that are out of my control and I’m happy to still be involved with this great group of guys. I wouldn’t have expected to start managing until my career was over but I’m going to make the best of the situation. I know my presence in the locker room and on the bench will give the team a much-needed boost and a chip on their shoulder heading into the playoffs."
For media inquiries, please email Maple Leafs director of communications and game-day operations Ryan Eakin at eakinryan13@gmail.com.