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Preseason Ups and Downs

Preseason Ups and Downs

Hey everyone. Just thought you might want a concise look at all that has been going on as far as roster moves in the past week or so. The season starts in 10 days, and management is starting to solidify the roster for Opening Day. Who’s been brought up? Who’s been sent down? Which positions…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Sixieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Sixieme Cours

Camp is over! The team packed up late this morning and are on their way back to mainland. Exhibition season up here starts on March 3 (in Fukuoka, where they’re selling “open seating” all-you-can-eat tickets for ¥2500) and runs through the 25th. Looking forward to see how the field and mound start to take shape!…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Quatrieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Quatrieme Cours

It’s another precious day off for our heroes on the diamond, so let’s look back on the last few days of spring training action! First, the “news”: Newly acquired relief pitcher Diego Moreno looked good pitching in the bullpen and in live batting practice. Some have called him a “skinny Mateo” – he uses the…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Troisieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Troisieme Cours

Before we get to the highlights (yes, there were a couple of games!), here are the latest bits of news: – Manager Tomoaki Kanemoto has declared that Yusuke Ohyama will get a chance at third, which means moving ironman Takashi Toritani over to second base. I guess Hiroki Uemoto is out of a job! –…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Deuxieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Deuxieme Cours

It’s still just the beginning of spring training. And it’s still cold in mainland Japan. So because of the frozen nature of my fingers, and the lack of heaviness concerning any and all headlines, here’s what you missed, in short spurts: Minoru Iwata threw a 200-pitch bullpen… in case Kanemoto gets really, REALLY mad at…

Monthly Hanshin Tigers – November 2017

Monthly Hanshin Tigers – November 2017

Another season has come to an end, and a few more players have shed their uniforms for the last time. This month’s magazine primarily takes a look at the careers of three long-time players: a veteran pitcher who started, closed and set up, a charming slugger who came in mid-career and showed bursts of potential,…