While I enjoyed the first book I read by current Hanshin manager Tomoaki Kanemoto (Prepare and Proceed, 2008), I still questioned its timing. He was still mid-career and was not coming off any major event (championship, surgery, retirement, etc.). But this book is a different story. Written the offseason after he retired in 2012, this…
Various reports are out (including this one) that Hanshin Tigers hitting assistant coach Tom O’Malley will not be with the club in 2017 and beyond. According to articles I’ve read, O’Malley’s contract expires at the end of 2016 and the club has opted not to renew it. A team official has said that O’Malley was…
The obvious top choice for the draft appeared to be pitcher Seigi Tanaka (from Soka University). Five of the 12 clubs entered the draw: the Fighters, Hawks, Marines, Carp and Giants. In other words, the five teams that finished above .500 this season. Whether the other teams chickened out or had other obvious needs is…
Original article can be seen here 元の記事はこちら It was reported on the 14th that Hanshin infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (32), who is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon, has reached an agreement to remain with the club in 2017. He aims to make a return to top squad action by the end of…
Message from T-Ray: Just for fun this offseason (and maybe into 2017 and beyond), I will be accepting writing pieces from outsiders who want to share their thoughts on the Tigers. If you’re interested, send your thoughts my way! t-ray@thehanshintigers.com Of course at first, all submissions must go through me, but I also want your…
Well, we kind of lost a bit of the early season momentum and the races became a little less exciting. In particular, Jimbo saw his hitters almost all sent down to the farm or given a spot on the bench. Zorny took advantage of low volume pitching numbers but an exception second half from the…
Host T-Ray hooked up with Tigers legend Matt Murton for a lengthy interview. Later, T-Ray is joined by co-host Joe to recap a home game against the Swallows and the final two games of the year against the Giants. They choose players of the week, hitter and pitcher of the month of September, and give out the First Annual HTEN…
Nothing is on the line anymore, with the exception of a few records and perhaps a leg up on the competition for playing time next season. Maybe for some, a strong performance in these final few games is a plea for one more contract, one more season. Either way, the 5-game winning streak the Tigers…
The Hanshin Tigers have found too many weird ways to lose too many games this season. Even against these Yakult Swallows, success has been fleeting and hard losses have become the norm. Heading into this, the third-to-last game of the season, the Tigers were 11-12-1 against the defending Central League pennant winners. This one would…
Host T-Ray is joined by co-host Joe to recap a home game against the Giants, a final road game against the Carp, and the last two road games of the year against the Dragons (@ Koshien). They choose players of the week, and choose the 10 players they don’t want back in 2017 as well as the 28 that should…