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 Jason Coskrey

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Jason Coskrey
Jason Coskrey is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His primary focus is Japanese baseball, but he has also covered soccer, American football, boxing and basketball. He previously worked for the Marietta Daily Journal in Marietta, Ga. A native of Detroit, he is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Seiya Suzuki stands next to manager Craig Counsell in the Cubs dugout during their game against the Giants on Sunday.
BASEBALL
Mar 16, 2025
Cubs beat Giants in final tuneup before season opener against Dodgers
The Cubs split their exhibition games against the Giants and Tigers.
Hanshin pitcher Hiroto Saiki threw five scoreless innings as the Tigers topped the Dodgers in an exhibition game on Sunday in Tokyo.
BASEBALL
Mar 16, 2025
Tigers shut down Ohtani to take exhibition game over Dodgers
After giving up a home run to the Dodgers star two years ago, Hiroto Saiki got the best of Shohei Ohtani on Sunday as the Tigers completed a weekend sweep of MLB clubs.
Shohei Ohtani launches a home run in the third inning of the Dodgers' exhibition win over the Giants at Tokyo Dome on Saturday.
BASEBALL
Mar 15, 2025
Ohtani puts on a show as Dodgers power past Giants in Tokyo
Ohtani's third-inning homer sent the 42,064 fans at Tokyo Dome into a frenzy as Los Angeles took a 5-1 decision over the Kyojin.
Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki at the dish during an exhibition game against the Tigers on Saturday in Tokyo.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 15, 2025
Seiya Suzuki hit with dose of nostalgia as he dons Cubs uniform at Tokyo Dome
Facing the Hanshin Tigers and hearing the team’s cheering section was a blast from the recent past for the former Hiroshima Carp star.
Tigers players walk off the field while carrying Cubs caps during a rare exhibition game between NPB and MLB clubs.
BASEBALL
Mar 15, 2025
Tigers shut out the Cubs as Seiya Suzuki receives warm welcome in Tokyo
Suzuki was showered with applause in his return to Japan as a member of the Chicago Cubs, but it was the Hanshin Tigers who came out on top in the exhibition game.
Cubs pitcher Colin Rea pitches against the Guardians in a spring training game in Mesa, Arizona, on March 1.
BASEBALL
Mar 15, 2025
Former Hawks pitcher Colin Rea happy to be in Japan with Cubs for Tokyo Series
Rea pitched for the Pacific League club in 2021 and 2022. 
Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga and teammate Seiya Suzuki during a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 14, 2025
Cubs see Tokyo trip as great chance to bond as a team
The Chicago Cubs plan to make the most of their time in Japan, both as a way to kickstart the push to reach the postseason and as a way to come together as a team.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani arrives for practice on Friday at Tokyo Dome.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 14, 2025
Hype reaches fever pitch as Ohtani and the Dodgers get set for games in Tokyo
Shohei Ohtani talked about getting over jet lag and his excitement for the Tokyo Series as the Dodgers prepare to put on a show for Japanese fans.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani poses with President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman at Ohtani's introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 14, 2023.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 13, 2025
Dodgers' Andrew Friedman hails team's growing Japan connection
“I think the atmosphere is going to be electric. ... I think it’s the closest I’ll ever get to traveling with the Beatles."
Items from Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 season are seen in an exhibition at Tokyo Node on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 5, 2025
Tokyo fans get the Dodgers on their doorstep
In a big play to grow the team's fanbase, an exhibition connected with the MLB Tokyo Series is offering a taste of the LA experience.
A model wears items that are part of Takashi Murakami's collaboration with MLB.
BASEBALL / MLB
Feb 28, 2025
Famed artist Takashi Murakami partners with MLB for Tokyo Series
The new collection includes t-shirts and sweatshirts adorned with Murakami’s signature style, along with hats, baseballs and gloves.
Swallows mascot Tsubakuro performs during a game at Jingu Stadium in June 2023.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Feb 21, 2025
Swallows employee who portrayed popular mascot Tsubakuro dies
Tsubakuro became a ubiquitous presence at Jingu Stadium after his debut in 1994.
Masahiro Tanaka signed with the Giants in December.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Feb 3, 2025
Star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka looking to revive glory days with Giants
Masahiro Tanaka is one of the most recognizable faces in Japanese baseball, but sightings of the new Giants pitcher were few and far between in 2024.
Kanoa Igarashi surfs in the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach competition in Oahu, Hawaii, on Feb. 18.
MORE SPORTS / Surfing
Jan 28, 2025
Kanoa Igarashi dreams big as surfing championship tour gets underway
With new tricks up his sleeve, the Olympic silver medalist is eyeing a world title.
Naoya Inoue throws a punch against Kim Ye-joon during their world super bantamweight title bout in Tokyo on Friday.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
Jan 25, 2025
After racking up another KO, 'Monster' Inoue set for bright lights of Las Vegas
There may also be a big payday in Saudi Arabia on the horizon as Inoue takes his thrilling style overseas after a long run of bouts on home soil.
Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue celebrates after defeating Kim Ye-joon in their title fight at Ariake Arena on Friday.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
Jan 24, 2025
Naoya 'Monster' Inoue retains undisputed title with 4th-round knockout
Promoter Bob Arum announced after the fight that Inoue will fight in Las Vegas this spring.
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks during his introductory news conference with the team in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 23, 2025
Dodgers introduce Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki
A frenzied sweepstakes among MLB clubs officially came to an end with Sasaki's decision to join Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in LA.
Naoya Inoue at a news conference in Yokohama on Wednesday ahead of his world super bantamweight title bout against Kim Ye-joon, scheduled for Friday in Tokyo.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
Jan 22, 2025
Inoue believes unusual leadup to Kim fight could be 'big plus'
Inoue was supposed to face Sam Goodman last month. Instead, he will defend his belts on Friday against Kim Ye-joon, who stepped in after Goodman was injured in training.
Ichiro Suzuki finished his career with 3,089 MLB hits and is one of 33 players in the 3,000-hit club.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 22, 2025
Iconic Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ichiro, who rose to global superstardom with the Mariners, was elected in his first year on the ballot, but fell one vote short of becoming the second player voted in unanimously.
Roki Sasaki pitches for Japan during the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome on March 11, 2023.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 18, 2025
Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki signs with Dodgers
Sasaki is considered one of the most talented young pitchers on the planet. 

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.