Congratulations to the Hanshin Tigers on winning their second Central League pennant in three years. The victory was a true team effort highlighted by a potent offensive attack, a balanced pitching staff and clever use of an adequate pool of talent by manager Akinobu Okada.
One of the key players on the 2005 Tigers championship team is American first baseman Andy Sheets, who transferred to Hanshin this season after two years as the shortstop with the Hiroshima Carp.
Sheets was a free agent after playing out consecutive one-year contracts with Hiroshima, and he decided to sign with the Tigers, a move that has proved to be one of the best of his career. He's going to the Japan Series this month and maybe to the Asian Series in November.