Major League Baseball

Eagles name controversial coach as interim manager

Published Jul. 2, 2014 4:45 a.m. ET

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TOKYO (AP) The Rakuten Eagles of Japan's Pacific League appointed Hiromoto Okubo as interim manager, despite previous accusations of abusive behavior toward players and women.

The team announced the appointment on its official website on Wednesday. Okubo was serving as the farm team's manager.

The Eagles won the Japan Series last season with the help of New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka but have struggled this season after manager Senichi Hoshino was sidelined in May with a herniated disk.

Okubo was fired by the Seibu Lions in 2010 after a team investigation revealed he resorted to violence in his role as a batting coach for Seibu's farm team. In 2008, while with the Lions, Okubo was accused of striking a female friend.

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