Top 10 Famous Moments

The following top ten list comes from the results of a poll conducted by the Hanshin Tigers organization at the end of the 2015 season, the club’s 80th of existence. Because the 5,284 fans who voted do not necessarily know the team’s full history or its truly greatest moments, there is some bias towards more recent years. However, if you click on the headlines, you can find an article (and maybe even a video clip) of each of these moments.

Before we reach the top 10, here are some honorable mentions.

HM) Team Overcomes Nine-Run Deficit vs. Carp (May 6, 2017)

This is easily the most exciting game I have experienced as a baseball fan. The Tigers found themselves down 0-9 after the top of the fifth inning against the powerhouse Hiroshima Carp. But a run in the bottom of that inning was followed by seven more the next inning (plus another that got taken away on a controversial video replay that took 20 minutes to decide). The next inning, they got the runs they needed, and after a dominant top of the ninth by our closer, the game – and temporary hold of first place – was ours. Absolutely unforgettable and undeniably a moment that will go down in team history.

HM) Bacque Throws No Hitter vs. Giants (June 28, 1965)

All you get to see in the linked video is 17 seconds (the final out of the game), but you can read a bit more about it here, too. Let’s put it this way: in the two-league era (i.e., since 1950), there have been six no-hitters thrown by Hanshin pitchers. Only one was against the much-hated Yomiuri Giants, and this was it. Bacque is the only import so far in team history to throw a no-hitter. This one deserves recognition as one of the great moments in franchise history, for sure.

HM) Toritani Gets His 2000th Career Hit (September 8, 2017)

How can you not appreciate the impressive resume that Takashi Toritani built up in his 16 seasons with the club? Not only did he play every game (1939-game streak is second longest in NPB history), but he never took any play lightly, battled through crazy injuries (cracked ribs, a broken nose, more). Would you believe that in reaching the 2000 hit milestone, he became just the second player in franchise history to rack up all of his 2000+ hits with Hanshin? As a matter of fact, he is the only Tiger to get his 2000th hit on Koshien soil! He now has the all-time record for hits by a Tiger, and for that and so much more, we salute you, Tori-san!

10) Kanemoto Hits Walk-Off Homer in Nippon Series (October 23, 2003)

9) Enatsu Pitches No Hitter, Hits Walk-Off Homer vs. Dragons (August 30, 1973)

8) Kanemoto’s Retirement Game/Ceremony (October 9, 2012)

7) Kanemoto Plays, Hits One-Handed with Broken Wrist (July 30, 2004)

6) Shinjo Gets Walk-Off Hit During Intentional Walk (June 12, 1999)

5) Team Wins Climax Series on Road (October 2014)

4) Team Wins First Ever Japan Series (November 1985)

3) Team Wins First Pennant in 18 Years (September 15, 2003)

2) Hiyama Hits Home Run in Last Career At Bat During Climax Series (October 13, 2013)

1) Back-to-Back-to-Back Deep Center Home Runs (April 17, 1985)