yokota

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…

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…

@ Giants – April 5 – Tigers Devour Rabbits

Youngsters Shin & Shun Shine in Blowout Win Game 10 – Tuesday 4/5: Last season, the Hanshin Tigers finished the season 9-16 against the Yomiuri Giants, including a pitiful 2-11 record at Tokyo Dome. This included three losses to Tuesday’s starter Poreda. However, this is a completely different Tiger team. Shun Takayama started things off with a…

@ Swallows – March 29-31 – Split Down the Middle

Game 4, Tuesday 3/29: Riding a two-game winning streak and bringing their best pitcher from last season to the mound, the Tigers hoped to keep the defending Central League champion Yakult Swallows winless on the season on Tuesday. Shintaro Fujinami gave up a hit and walk in the bottom of the first, but held the…

vs. Dragons – March 25-27 – New Season, New Style

The Hanshin Tigers looked to continue their dominance against Chunichi under the dome in Osaka as the 2016 season raised its veil. Could they extend the 11-game win streak at Kyocera against the rebuilding Dragons? Game 1, Friday 3/25: As reported earlier this weekend (click here for recap), the series started on a rough note…

Opening Day Report – Tigers Lose Opener

Randy Messenger looked invincible in the first inning. After that, the Chunichi bats and eyes made sure the bases were always occupied. After a strikeout-ground out-strikeout first inning, rookie Shun Takayama recorded his first career hit on a two-strike grounder to left field. Only Shintaro Yokota‘s quickness prevented his groundout to pitcher from becoming a double…

Spring Training Days 1-6 — Fielders

I was in Okinawa for the first week of spring training, but needed a day of recovery on February 4th. The players started on February 1st and are slated to bring things to a close on the 28th before returning to Kansai on February 29th. This session will look at the fielders, the next one at pitchers…

Podcast Episode 18

Host T-Ray talks about which players he will try to keep an eye on during spring training in Okinawa, which starts Monday, February 1. Check the Okinawa Spring Training Roster here: https://www.thehanshintigers.com/2016/01/23/spring-training-roster-announced/ Check the highlights from Shintaro Yokota and Naomasa Yohkawa here: https://www.thehanshintigers.com/2016/01/24/two-to-watch-in-2016/ Opening song – 君は君だけ – Kimi wa Kimi dake (Hakugaijin) Closing song –…