Tsuyoshi Shinjo, now in his fifth season as manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, is a big boss who generates buzz both on and off the field. He makes no compromises when it comes to how he wears his watch. His eccentric style of wearing two watches on one wrist captivated fans for a time.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published April 19, 2026]
The "Big Boss" has settled into directing and is on a roll.
Tsuyoshi Shinjo will take charge of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters as manager from the 2022 season. Wearing the same number "1" jersey he wore during his playing days with Nippon-Ham, he has continued to bring a breath of fresh air to the baseball world with his original ideas and incisive words. At his inaugural press conference, he declared with a big smile, "Honestly, I'm the most surprised. On the one hand, I wonder if I'm the right person for the job, but on the other hand, I'm the only one who can do it. I want to change the Fighters, and I want to change professional baseball." True to his word, the Big Boss has been steadily rebuilding the team, and this season they are in a position to aim for their long-awaited championship.
Shinjo's signature wit was in full force even in post-game interviews. When Mizuno, whom he had selected to bat first, got a hit, a reporter asked him why he put him in that position, to which he replied with a smile, "Well, just leave it at that. Just leave it at intuition. It would take 18 minutes to explain." Regarding Reyes, who had been in poor form, having a long conversation with Manager Shinjo before the game and recording two hits that day, he responded with a joke, "Right. I don't think it's because of my talk. He's a hitter to begin with, so I don't think it's related." Humor permeated every word, drawing laughter from the reporters.
Manager Shinjo's slogan is "Dream big, and have strong roots. The image is to build a solid foundation and push forward towards our dreams." His ability to steadily improve the team while generously providing enjoyable fan service and making bold statements has been thoroughly honed over the five years since he took office.
During his playing career, he exercised his free agency rights, and despite the Hanshin Tigers' earnest attempts to persuade him to stay, as well as negotiations with the Yokohama BayStars and Tokyo Yakult Swallows, it was the New York Mets who won the bidding war for Shinjo. At a time when it was rare for Japanese position players to challenge the majors, it was a landmark season, also known for Ichiro Suzuki's move to the Mariners that same year. Undeterred by the cold stares of those around him, Tsuyoshi Shinjo made the opening day roster for the majors and recorded his first hit in his first at-bat. He played in 123 games, finishing with a batting average of .268, 10 home runs, and 56 RBIs, and also became the first Japanese player to bat fourth in the lineup. After spending three seasons in the majors, he moved to the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Pacific League, declaring, "From now on, it's neither the majors nor the Central League. It's the Pacific League!" He achieved the two major goals he vowed to achieve upon joining the team: "to make the team the best in Japan" and "to fill Sapporo Dome to capacity," and retired from playing in 2006.
An unparalleled sensibility that no one else can imitate.
What defines Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who has constantly generated buzz both on and off the field, is his unconventional sensibility that isn't afraid to go "overboard." Even after becoming manager, he adopted collared uniforms that he designed himself for the team, posting on social media, "I'd be thrilled if you came to the stadium cheering us on with your collars turned up!" His commitment to fashion has been genuine since his playing days, as evidenced by his statements such as, "I don't want to train my lower body because I don't want jeans to stop looking good on me," and "Winning the Best Dressed Award makes me happier than any baseball award I received in the majors."
His unique worldview explodes even in his entrance scenes. Arriving in supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris is now a regular occurrence, and he has even made a dashing entrance on a hoverbike at the opening ceremony. Such is his love for motorsport that, while living in Bali, he built a motocross course on his own land at his own expense. The course was originally built for his staff at a cost of 2000 million yen, but the story of how he fell and injured his leg on a jump on his very first day of riding, which became the catalyst for him to seriously get into motorcycles, has a punchline that is very typical of Tsuyoshi Shinjo.
Shinjo's unique sensibility is fully displayed even in how he wears his watches. Going back four years to the first day of the Nippon Ham Fighters' training camp in 2022, a decisive moment was captured in a Tokyo Sports photograph of him handing out throat lozenges to the press. While it's rare to see someone wearing one watch on each arm, like Keisuke Honda, it's almost unprecedented to see someone wearing two watches on the same arm. Both watches in the photograph can be confirmed to be Tag Heuer watches.
Two aggressive chronographs that TAG Heuer is proud of.
Automatic movement (Cal. Heuer 02). 33 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. PVD-coated stainless steel case (43mm diameter, 16.66mm thickness). Rubber and leather strap. 100m water resistance. Reference item.
Born in 1963, the TAG Heuer Carrera is a chronograph that has evolved for over half a century, meeting the technical demands of the world's top drivers. Its design has remained largely unchanged to this day, and in 2023, a limited edition inspired by the original Ref. 2447 was released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Carrera collection.
The name "Carrera" means "race" in Spanish and is derived from the "Carrera Panamericana," known as the world's most dangerous public road race. The anecdote that Jack Heuer, the great-grandson of founder Edouard Heuer, was convinced that "it sounds good no matter what language it is pronounced in" and named his self-developed chronograph after it symbolizes the richness of the brand's story. Its legacy of combining the high precision required in motorsport with the elegance to withstand everyday use continues to be passed down to this day.
Automatic movement (Cal. TH20-00). 33 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. Stainless steel case (39mm diameter, 15.21mm thickness). Alligator strap. 100m water resistance. 1,160,500 yen (tax included).
On the other hand, the Monaco, with its iconic square case, left a striking mark on watchmaking history from its debut in 1969. It gained widespread attention when Steve McQueen wore it in the film "Le Mans," and since then, it has continued to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide, becoming inseparable from the passion of motorsport. Current models feature ergonomic design and lightweight titanium, retaining the impactful square form while achieving modern comfort and precision. Its presence the moment it's placed on the wrist is exceptional, making it truly a model worthy of a big boss.
One of the main reasons Tsuyoshi Shinjo chooses TAG Heuer is his deep love for motorsport. From setting up his own track in Bali to appearing on hoverbikes and supercars, his devotion to speed and machinery is an integral part of his life. There is more than enough reason for him to choose a TAG Heuer watch, which is so deeply connected to the world of motorsport.
The philosophy of "Big Boss style" as revealed by wearing two watches.
Why two watches? He hasn't revealed the exact reason, but clues can be found in his past actions. The style of letting only one sock peek out, the collar he deliberately turns up high, and the two watches he wears on the same arm. For Tsuyoshi Shinjo, fashion is a language to embody his "individuality" with his whole being. Rather than having any particular practical reason, it is his natural ability to do things that no one else does that makes him the "Big Boss."
Another detail not to be missed is his meticulous attention to watches, which can also be seen on his official social media accounts. Tsuyoshi Shinjo is known for always keeping his watch 13 minutes ahead. For someone who publicly proclaims, "Effort is a lifetime, the real thing is once, and the chance is fleeting," physically marking his wrist with extra time aligns perfectly with his philosophy. Perhaps one of his two watches is for his "personal time," and the other shows standard time. Or perhaps both are 13 minutes ahead. Only the Big Boss knows the truth, but if it encapsulates his attitude of "always being fully prepared and not missing a single chance," then wearing two watches may not be just a quirky fashion choice, but a reflection of the Big Boss's way of life itself.
Contact info: LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan TAG Heuer Tel. 03-5635-7030
