Dominant Lions ace Kona Takahashi has no plans to visit barber
The 24-year-old, unbeaten in nine starts this season, has said he won't cut his hair until he suffers his first defeat on the mound.
Zelous Wheeler bringing flair and fun to normally reserved Giants
The former Yankee is a breath of fresh air in an organization with an image of being more than a little stuffy.
Rising NPB stars making strong case for spots on Japan's Olympic team
The postponement of the games has given manager Atsunori Inaba more things to think about as he goes about building a squad that can capture Japan’s first Olympic gold medal in baseball.
NPB strikes out with move to eliminate extra innings
Just before the Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama BayStars went into the bottom of the ninth tied 7-7 on March 26, the first night of the season, there was an announcement over the PA system at Tokyo Dome. It was a reminder there would not be ...
Masahiro Tanaka's return to Rakuten benefits both sides
With the return of its former ace, the Tohoku team gets a player who can help win games on the field and comes with a massive amount of star power.
Bad timing spoils Tomoyuki Sugano's MLB aspirations
Given a market where he apparently didn't get a deal he liked and an offseason changed by the coronavirus, it's not hard to see why Sugano chose another year with the Kyojin.
Pacific League far ahead of Central League in NPB arms race
Factors such as pitching have created a gulf on the field, while the PL has also innovated more with online broadcasting and brand marketing.
Incident-free Japan Series could aid push for fans to attend Olympics
NPB's ability to admit just under 70,000 fans to the series' four games, held across two cities in domed venues, may provide hints to organizers aiming to pack Tokyo 2020 stands next summer.
Pandemic-era Japan Series has more than a title chance on the line
The migration of players, fans and officials across the country will serve as a test of Japan's ability to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Hayato Sakamoto reaches 2,000 hits with real chance for run at 3,000
Gaining entry into the 2,000-hit club is usually among the final chapters in most players’ careers. For Yomiuri Giants star Hayato Sakamoto, though, reaching one of the game’s crowning achievements for a hitter might just be a stepping stone to even more rarefied heights. Sakamoto ...
Hawks capture predictable pennant in unpredictable season
SoftBank's quest for Pacific League dominance began in empty stadiums and ended in front of just under 20,000 fans at PayPay Dome.
Yudai Ono should be on track for Sawamura Award if committee keeps its word
The prize ostensibly honors the pitcher who most embodies the legacy of Eiji Sawamura in a given year. It's hard to argue Ono doesn't fit that bill.
