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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.
BASEBALL / MLB
Feb 19, 2024
Dodgers hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be tough code to crack for MLB hitters
His mix of power, stuff and command have some wondering if the 25-year-old right-hander is already the best pitcher on the planet.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Feb 15, 2024
Giants' new Godzilla Yuto Akihiro taps into Hideki Matsui's teachings to level up
Akihiro is the latest player to try and walk in Matsui's footsteps.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Feb 9, 2024
Roki Sasaki gets back to business after weeks of speculation about future
After weeks of rampant rumors, the "Monster of the Reiwa Era" is back to the business of baseball, and the MLB questions are back on the shelf for now.
BASEBALL / Sac Bunts
Feb 5, 2024
Fighters' Tsuyoshi Shinjo needs to match substance with style in third season
Nippon Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo is trying to turn around the Fighters after last-place finishes in 2022 and 2023.
Driveline Pacific Rim director Frank Minamino (second from right) poses with Lions pitcher Kaito Yoza (left) Hawks pitcher Shuta Ishikawa (second from left) and the Lions' Kona Takahashi.
BASEBALL
Feb 2, 2024
NPB pitchers embracing Driveline Baseball method
NPB players are working with Driveline Baseball in greater numbers.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter puts a jersey on Shohei Ohtani during the superstar's introductory news conference on Thursday. The structure of Ohtani's contract could help the Dodgers get a full return on their investment in the two-way player.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 15, 2023
For the Dodgers, Ohtani's megadeal could end up being a bargain
The Dodgers have the makings of a juggernaut, and success on the field will allow the franchise to cash in on Ohtani’s transcendent marketability.
Shohei Ohtani puts on a Dodgers cap and uniform during his introductory news conference at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 15, 2023
Shohei Ohtani says shared commitment to winning led him to Dodgers
The one-of-a-kind talent received a Hollywood intro Thursday as he began his new chapter with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 10, 2023
Shohei Ohtani to join Dodgers on record-breaking deal
Ohtani reached an agreement on a record-breaking deal worth $700 million with the Dodgers.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 27, 2023
Yoshinobu Yamamoto named to third straight Best Nine team
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the runaway choice as the best pitcher in the Pacific League on Monday, when the winners of NPB’s annual Best Nine awards were announced.
BASEBALL
Nov 20, 2023
Hirokazu Ibata passes first test with Samurai Japan
Japan went through the Asia Professional Baseball Championship with a 4-0 record.
BASEBALL
Nov 19, 2023
Japan tops South Korea on sayonara single in 10th to win APBC title
Japan edged South Korea on a walk-off hit by Makoto Kadowaki.
BASEBALL
Nov 19, 2023
Australia gains crucial experience at Asia tourney in Tokyo
For smaller baseball countries like Australia, the opportunity for its young players to play Japan at a packed Tokyo Dome is invaluable.
BASEBALL
Nov 18, 2023
Japan routs Australia in Asia Professional Baseball Championship
Japan routed Australia to improve to 3-0.
Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after a go-ahead, two-run home run against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on June 12.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 17, 2023
Shohei Ohtani wins second American League MVP award
Shohei Ohtani was named the AL MVP for the second time in three seasons.
BASEBALL
Nov 16, 2023
Samurai Japan overcomes slow start to beat Taiwan in APBC opener
Shota Morishita got Japan going with a home run in the seventh inning.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 10, 2023
Japan Series champion Tigers lead way with five Golden Glove winners
The Tigers set a franchise record with five Golden Glove selections.
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 9, 2023
Japan’s 'four-eyed tax hiker' and the curse of Colonel Sanders
Baseball writer Jason Coskrey and editor Joel Tansey discuss the Hanshin Tigers’ Japan Series victory; Gabriele Ninivaggi explains how the prime minister hopes to get a home run with his tax plan.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 6, 2023
Sheldon Neuse and the catch that ended the Tigers' 38-year drought
For the American, a win in the Japan Series was a perfect ending to a year that did not go the way he had hoped during the regular season.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 5, 2023
Buffaloes to allow ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to move to MLB
The move was widely expected before the Buffaloes made it official.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 5, 2023
Tigers beat Buffaloes in Game 7 to end 38-year Japan Series drought
The Tigers beat the defending champion Buffaloes in Game 7 to claim their first Japan Series title since 1985.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past