"Chatter Up!" – Former Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles General Manager Marty Kuehnert (6/4/21)

Renaissance man Marty Kuehnert joins host Shane Barclay on this episode of JapanBall's #ChatterUp! Marty became the first foreigner to run an NPB team when he was named general manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He has rubbed elbows with Ichiro, Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, and so many more! He is currently the Senior GM of the Sendai 89ers of Japan's professional basketball "B League." Recap: https://japanball.com/articles-features/chatter-up/marty-kuehnert-recap/ Full Transcript: https://japanball.com/articles-features/chatter-up/full-transcript-marty-kuehnert/ Bio: Marty Kuehnert was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and earned admission to Stanford University, where he was a catcher on the baseball team. While at Stanford, Marty participated in a Japanese exchange program, setting the course for a fascinating life in his adopted home country. He met legendary baseball ambassador Cappy Harada in Japan, who asked him to run the Lodi Orions of the California League. At 25 years old, Kuehnert became general manager of the first Japanese-owned sports team in America. A year later, he won the California League Executive of the Year award. Marty returned to Japan as director of sales and promotions for NPB's Taiheiyo Club Lions (now the Seibu Lions). During this time, he started to blossom as an influential sports executive, businessman, and media personality in Japan. For example, he has: -authored seven books -hosted a weekly TV show -appeared in a popular soap opera -written various long-running columns -worked extensively as a TV anchor and commentator\ -founded a sports management company -and consulted on many influential business deals in Japan, especially in the areas of bat licensing and sports bars. Marty further sharpened his baseball expertise as part-owner of the Birmingham Barons from 1990-1995 (serving as club president for the first two years). With the Barons, Marty had under his watch baseball's two biggest multi-sport stars: Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan. Marty’s reputation as a sports and business executive continued to grow, leading to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles hiring him to be their first General Manager in 2004. In assuming this role, Marty became the first non-Japanese GM in NPB history. If that’s not impressive enough, Marty also holds that distinction in basketball! Since July 2018, he has worked as the Senior General Manager of the Sendai 89ers, a professional basketball team in Japan’s B League. In addition to his three current sports roles - Owner's Rep and Senior General Manager of the Sendai 89ers, Senior Adviser for the Rakuten Eagles, and President of International Sports Management & Consultants - Marty holds various university posts. He is a professor at Sendai University and is Advisor to the President of Tohoku University.