By Chiba Yumi, Niihama-shi Intelligencer

August 9, 2014:Niihama City, Japan – The last-place Ghosts, desperate to maintain fan interest in the midst of the squad’s sagging fortunes, announced today that they have brought back one of the most popular players ever to don Ghosts green: designated hitter Shigochiyo “Shiggy” Memoto.

Until this season, the 42-year old Memoto had spent his entire career with the Ghosts, leading them to the Neo-Tokyo Cup in 2010 and 2011.  From 2007 through 2013, Memoto had a .283 batting average with 158 home runs and 514 RBI.

“We are thrilled to have Shiggy back in the fold,” announced beleaguered GM Mike Dunn.  “We expect he will be available as a pinch hitter, with occasional starts at DH.  And more importantly, he will provide some sage guidance to our younger batters.”

Memoto was signed to a relatively miniscule contract of $152,000 for the remainder of the season.  Sources tell the Intelligencer that prior to the start of the season, the Ghosts and Memoto’s agent had been engaged in intensive negotiations.  But according to the source, the team was unwilling to go over $1,000,000 for the season, a far cry from his earlier $11 million salary.

Instead, Memoto confounded everyone by agreeing to a minor league contract with the Florida Featherheads of the PEBA.  He was signed on May 5^th, assigned to one of Florida’s minor league affiliates, then abruptly left the squad.  The Featherheads formally released him five weeks later.

“Shiggy was simply not prepared for life in the minors,” says one team source.  “The buses, the food, the immature youngsters.  Eventually, the Featherheads realized it would not do anyone any good to have him there.”  One report said Memoto asked for his release after seeing a young Featherheads hitting prospect blow a kiss toward an opposing pitcher after hitting a home run.

The source says after the release, Memoto’s agent reached out again to the Ghosts’ front office, and negotiations began anew.  The team’s earlier high-six-figure offer, though, was off the table.

Memoto himself was not available for comment after the announcement, but issued this statement through his agent: “I welcome the opportunity to return to play in front of the great fans of Niihama City, and I thank the organization for giving me that opportunity.”

Skeptics, of course, wonder if Memoto can contribute on the field.  His once-legendary skills have declined greatly, and no one knows if he has even recovered from the broken knee that ended his 2013 season.

One thing is for certain: Those who believed that broken knee spelled the end of Memoto’s tenure as a Ghost were clearly wrong.  There are second acts in the great game of baseball.

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