To save you from having to read a depressing series recap, this report comes to you a little early with a bit of a startling move by Tomoaki Kanemoto and the Hanshin Tigers. Pitcher Yuta Iwasada, who once again struggled mightily (with perhaps his worst start of the year), was sent home to the Osaka…
It was bad enough that the team lost two of three against the Hiroshima Carp earlier this week. The first game was a low-scoring affair, one that our starter dominated for six innings and our relievers held their boots on the jugulars of the CL leaders. But then came two humiliating defeats – falling behind…
It’s All-Star Break… no real baseball to watch and analyze, so let’s look at our crop of pitchers and give a few brief comments about each of them. What’s your take? Whom do you like in those final couple of rotation spots? In the bullpen? The above “depth chart” is just my own observations, and…
It’s All-Star Break… no real baseball to watch and analyze, so let’s look at our crop of hitters and give a few brief comments about each of them. What’s your take? Whom do you like at the 8 fielding positions? The above “depth chart” is just my own observations, and isn’t necessarily the way the…
Hanshin has recently announced the signing of first baseman Jason Rogers. Apparently he is quite excited to be joining the team, as he answered a random fan’s direct messages on Twitter about his arrival date (before the deal was officially announced), and simply tweeted the words “Hanshin Tigers!!” a day later. (The tweet has since…
Interleague play gives Central League teams a chance, for nine games, to imagine what it must be like to have an extra big bat in the lineup. For teams who have been sacrificing sound defense for having a good bat in the lineup, this is a chance to shore up the fielding issues without losing…
I know, I know. I’m following baseball this closely, but have not read perhaps the most important book written about the sport this century? Yes, I’m behind the times. You’re right. I’m humble enough to admit it. One of the premises of this book is that the estimation of players’ values has been looked at…
Kakehashi Sports – Stylish Hanshin Merchandise Well, not necessarily these particular shirts – they’ve already been on my back, and you’ll probably want something new. Not to mention, even though I like Mauro Gomez and all, he’s not even a member of the team anymore. And Ryota Arai may not be far behind, either. In…
On Tuesday night, Hanshin Tigers third baseman Takashi Toritani tied his manager Tomoaki Kanemoto for the second longest consecutive games streak in NPB history with 1766. (The top spot is held by Hiroshima Carp legend Sachio Kinugasa, with 2215 games.) To celebrate the feat, Toritani went 0-for-4, striking out with a runner in scoring position…
Last night I had the joy of watching the game with my good buddy Jimbo. Before and after the game, we hung out with Aaron and his wife. We created this little post-game report. Hope you enjoy it! Be sure to check out previous Vodcasts: with WhizOh, with Scott, with Zorny. You could be the…