If there was any defining moment for Japanese sports last month, it surely came right after Turkey eliminated the lads in blue from the World Cup on June 18.
While the nation briefly mourned Japan's loss, a group of erstwhile soccer fans in Osaka stood at the edge of a river and -- rather than jumping in -- began singing the Hanshin Tigers fight song.
It was a poignant reminder that while it may be fun to paint your face and watch the World Cup, baseball is closer to the hearts of most Japanese sports fans.