In a recent podcast episode, we talked about the man, the legend, Takashi Toritani, who was the first one given his ticket to get out of the Hanshin Tigers organization this offseason. We also pontificated who might also be on that same flight when it is scheduled to depart at the start of December. Here…
There’s too much talent on this roster for the team to have finished 2018 in last. And now in 2019, a lot of guys have a lot to prove to coaches, fans, and themselves. Whose comeback means the most to the team? Read on…
Wednesday night in Hiroshima, Randy Messenger left the mound after six innings of work, and down a run to the Carp. He had just set the NPB all-time record for career strikeouts by an import. His strikeout of Seiya Suzuki was the 1416th of his NPB career, one ahead of Genji Kaku, a Taiwanese native…
The season started so well for young Yusuke Ohyama. In fact, as spring training moved along, it looked more and more like this was going to be a break-out year for the second-year third baseman. Manager Tomoaki Kanemoto moved ironman Takashi Toritani over to second base (a position he hadn’t ever played in a league…
After twenty years of professional baseball, including seven (2008-14) with the Hanshin Tigers, Hiroshima Carp first baseman Takahiro Arai announced his retirement effective at season’s end. Despite a diminished role with the soon-to-be three-time CL champion Carp, Arai is a beloved teammate and player to all. Those who know him personally attest to his humility,…
Here’s a look at my Hanshin calendar, which highlights the birthdays of Hanshin players past and present, as well as the game schedule for the this month of baseball. Much of the schedule is at Koshien Stadium or in Hiroshima – neither of which has been a friendly playing environment for the Tigers this year….
Life as a Tigers fan had been pretty depressing for much of June. Surprisingly, one of the few teams we’ve had success against this season is the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Thanks to them (really, thanks to some untimely errors) we were able to put that 5-game losing streak behind us. SWEEP! Game 66: Brought to…
The Kansai Derby always seems to be interesting. This year, it was the Orix Buffaloes turn to “hit the road” and come over to Koshien. The series was delayed thanks to a rainout on Wednesday (June 6), and the rubber match wasn’t played until two weeks after it was originally scheduled. The way it was played,…
I hated Wadaball. So did most of you. And when his time at the helm ended in October 2015, and Tomoaki Kanemoto took over the reins, there was a lot of excitement in Tigerland. Things were going to be different, at last! Aniki’s team would be faster and (much) stronger than the yawn-inducing lineup Yutaka…
After a lot of rain and mediocrity during the week at Koshien, the Tigers took their act on the road for the final week of interleague play. First stop: Sapporo Dome to face the resurgent Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Given the powerful bats they have, Hanshin would need theirs to come out and play, plus…