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Jim Allen
For Jim Allen's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Lotte Marines manager Masato Yoshii (left) watches as ace pitcher Roki Sasaki throws in spring training in Ishigaki, Okinawa, in February 2023.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 12, 2024
Lotte Marines manager touts benefits of higher learning
After a 24-year pro career, the former player went to university to study coaching theory.
Bianca Smith works with an elementary school player in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, on Jan. 29, 2024.
BASEBALL
Mar 11, 2024
Trailblazing female baseball coach Bianca Smith hopes to reach NPB in Japan
Smith was the first Black woman hired to coach by a Major League Baseball team.
Former Orix Buffaloes pitcher Alessandro Maestri during an online interview on Feb. 18
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 4, 2024
Ex-Buffalo Maestri guides younger players in Japan return
Maestri is hopeful that nsome players he is coaching will also find their way to pro baseball in Japan.
A portrayal of how the 2024 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony on Paris' Champs-Elysees is set to appear from overhead. The Games will take place in various locations across the city.
PARALYMPICS / Summer Paralympics
Jan 8, 2024
IPC president Parsons asserts the power of diversity
Andrew Parsons says there are many projects taking place in Paris and in France to change people's perceptions.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches during Game 6 of the Japan Series earlier this month.
BASEBALL
Nov 16, 2023
Orix ace Yamamoto headed for record first MLB contract
"He may be the best pitcher we've ever seen come out of Japan," one MLB team's scout said.
Former Yakult Swallows catcher Atsuya Furuta (left) reunites with former teammate and current Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo ahead of Game 3 of the MLB World Series at Chase Field in Phoenix on Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 3, 2023
Diamondbacks manager revels in Japan lessons
"The lessons I learned were that the tedious work habits pay off," Torey Lovullo said.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 30, 2023
Yu Darvish's cool key to Japan's World Baseball Classic triumph
Darvish was the center of attention in Miyazaki, where the team trained, going above and beyond the important role the team manager envisioned for the 10-year MLB veteran.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 22, 2023
Japan defeats United States 3-2 to win World Baseball Classic
The victory ended Japan"s 14-year wait to lift the trophy it last held in 2009.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 21, 2023
Japan heads to WBC final after comeback win over Mexico
The win sends Japan back to the final for the first time since 2009 after two consecutive semifinal exits.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 20, 2023
Roki Sasaki set to be center of attention in WBC semifinal against Mexico
"I"m excited to see him play," Mexico manager Benji Gil said. "Roki is one of the best pitchers in the world."
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 19, 2023
Sadaharu Oh's praise icing on cake for American samurai Lars Nootbaar
Ahead of the World baseball Classic, Oh praised the contributions of Nootbaar and Tommy Edman, two Americans who are representing their mothers" homelands at the WBC.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2023
Murakami and Yoshida power Japan to final WBC warmup victory
Munetaka Murakami blasted a three-run first-inning homer and Masataka Yoshida drove in four runs as Samurai Japan cruised to a 9-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 7, 2023
Former MLB star Park Chan-ho wants kids to learn from Shohei Ohtani
The retired pitcher, who won 124 games in the majors, thinks the Angels two-way star is capable of inspiring future generations of talent in Asia.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 6, 2023
Shohei Ohtani thrills fans with two homers as Japan beats Hanshin in WBC warmup
Ohtani and Lars Nootbaar thrilled the packed crowd at Kyocera Dome Osaka during Japan"s win over the Tigers.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 6, 2023
Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida arrives to complete Samurai Japan's WBC roster
The new Boston Red Sox outfielder, who made the unprecedented step of interrupting his first MLB spring training to return home to play for Japan, pronounced himself ready to go.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / FOCUS
Jan 27, 2023
Activists continue the fight over Tokyo's historic Jingu Stadium demolition
Author Robert Whiting, who has written extensively about Japanese baseball, collected 13,000 signatures in a petition to change demolition plans in just a few days.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Nov 20, 2022
Roger Federer shares memories with Japanese stars at kids' event
Kei Nishikori, who has been on the comeback trail for over a year, said he remembered every one of his matches with Federer, including their 2019 Wimbledon semifinal.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 27, 2022
Ex-Fighters manager Hillman says club's fearlessness allowed Ohtani to blossom
"They showed a tremendous lack of fear for ... making wise decisions on someone they thought had an opportunity to be a great commodity and a two-way player."
Japan Times
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 10, 2022
Shohei Ohtani's feat brings scope of major league history into focus
While the world is being treated to Ruth-Ohtani comparisons, Ohtani's true predecessor is Bullet Rogan, a two-way player who did both extremely well for as long as he could.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 9, 2022
Japanese baseball: A 150-year journey of transformation
Over the years, Japan's changing political goals, and economic and social circumstances, have all left their imprint on the game that became known as yakyu016b, or "field ball."

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world