itohara

Games 2 & 3: Sweeping the Basement Floor

Games 2 & 3: Sweeping the Basement Floor

After a rollercoaster of a ride on Opening Day, the Tigers settled down nicely to finish off the Yakult Swallows on the weekend. This contrasts nicely with last season’s opening weekend sweep at the hands of the Giants. The power on display at Meiji Jingu Stadium sure gave fans a lot to get excited about!…

Five Tigers Test Positive for COVID-19

Five Tigers Test Positive for COVID-19

Sources: Tigers Homepage / Sponichi / Nikkan Sports The Hanshin Tigers roster (and mental health) took a huge blow on September 25th as the team announced that five of its players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. At first, just one player, right-handed pitcher Masumi Hamachi, complained of headaches, slight fever, and lethargy….

Itohara Injury Update

Itohara Injury Update

Source: Sponichi Annex Hanshin infielder Kento Itohara revealed to reporters on the 20th that he has been practicing batting tennis balls off a tee at the team’s Naruohama facility since the 19th to reduce the burden on his body (which would be heavier if he hit real baseballs). “I was hoping to start batting off…

Itohara Playing Catch Already!

Itohara Playing Catch Already!

Source: Nikkan Sports Tigers infielder Kento Itohara, who is recovering from a broken hamate bone in his right hand, started playing catch at the team’s farm facility in Naruohama on August 4th, according to reports. The bone was broken in the July 22 game against the Hiroshima Carp (at Koshien), and he had surgery on…

Injuries Pile Up, Team Rolls On

Injuries Pile Up, Team Rolls On

Tonight, the Tigers added yet another player to the already-long list of guys who are in need of medical attention. At some point early in the Wednesday night game against the Hiroshima Carp (which ended in a 3-3 tie), captain Kento Itohara broke the hamate bone in his right hand and will likely need at…

Ohyama, Nakatani Provide Multi-Souvenirs

Ohyama, Nakatani Provide Multi-Souvenirs

First of all, starter Minoru Iwata had to have been beside himself all night. The veteran pitcher has not received much run support in his starts over the years. Two or fewer runs per start has been the norm. That, combined with his struggles to get through five innings, had him winless in nearly two…

Game 107 @ Giants – Shunen At Last

Game 107 @ Giants – Shunen At Last

This year’s team slogan, announced last November at the team’s annual Fan Appreciation Day, is 執念 Tigers Change 2018. 執念 (shuunen) means “tenacity” and manager Tomoaki Kanemoto was hoping the slogan would give his team that extra push to be tenacious at the plate, on defense, on the mound, in all situations. But the fact…