hanshin

vs. Giants – April 26-28 – Sweep Barely Avoided

Let me start off with my personal story. A friend of mine, who is a Tigers fan, said he wanted to take in a game before he left for the States at the end of the month. I found seats to Tuesday’s game despite it being a sellout. I’m pumped. Then I get word from…

Podcast Episode 26

Podcast Episode 26

Host T-Ray and co-host Joe talk about the three two at Koshien (vs. Swallows) and three in Hiroshima (@ Carp). For the latter three, we are joined by Stuart, a Carp fan/follower. We choose our players of the week, discuss the Toritani ironman streak, and predict the week to come as well. Opening song – 君は君だけ – Kimi wa…

@ Carp – April 22-24 – More Peaks than Valleys

Unable to get on a good roll and heading to a park that seldom helped them last year, the Tigers needed good pitching from their starters – something that has been their downfall most of the past week. Could the team use Thursday’s rainout to straighten out some of their problems? The tale of the tape…

vs. Swallows – April 19-21 – Rain Ensures Second Split

It’s hard coming home after a bad day at work. Or maybe it’s comforting? The Hanshin Tigers got swept and humiliated in three games in Nagoya against the Chunichi Dragons. Could they right the ship at Koshien against the defending CL champion Yakult Swallows? Game 21 – Tuesday, 4/19: Surely young ace Shintaro Fujinami would…

Podcast Episode 25

Podcast Episode 25

Host T-Ray and co-host Tom talk about the three two at Koshien (BayStars) and three at Nagoya Dome. We choose our players of the week, talk about the catcher situation, what to do with Ryota Arai, and predict the week to come as well. Opening song – 君は君だけ – Kimi wa Kimi dake (Hakugaijin) Closing song – 夕焼け – Yuuyake…

Book Review – Hey Young Tigers!

Book Review – Hey Young Tigers!

Masayuki Kakefu is easily one of the most prolific and recognizable hitters and names in Hanshin Tigers history. He made his way into the heart of the order quite quickly after joining the club, and remained there for most of his playing years, which unfortunately ended too soon. For decades after his retirement, he mysteriously…

vs. BayStars – April 12-14 – Tigers Sweep ‘Stars in Two

After a disappointing opening series at Koshien against the Carp, the Tigers were determined to continue their push to the top against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at home this week. With the Giants and Carp playing so well early in the season, they would need every win they could get against the young team led by…

Podcast Episode 24

Podcast Episode 24

Host T-Ray and co-host Joe talk about the three at Tokyo Dome (Giants) and the first series played at Koshien (Carp) this season. We choose our players of the week, discuss our impressions of the rest of the CL so far, the Tigers’ hitting order, and predict the week to come as well. Opening song – 君は君だけ…

vs. Carp – April 8-10 – Tigers Create Drama in Return to Koshien

At long last, the Hanshin Tigers would make their 2016 Koshien Stadium debut. The season was off to a decent start, all without having played on their true home turf yet. Could they take the momentum from their successful road trip – and dominant win against the Giants Thursday – back to their “Sacred Ground”? Game…