NPB home run king Wladimir Balentien announces retirement
The Curacao native rewrote the NPB record book in 2013 with 60 home runs to surpass the previous single-season mark of 55, originally set by Yomiuri Giants legend Sadaharu Oh in 1964.
Japanese esports players hone skills with top South Korean team
Riki Sameshima said that compared with esports worldwide, he feels awareness of esports in Japan is still relatively limited.
Hawks' Yuki Yanagita becomes highest-paid position player in NPB history
The 33-year-old hit .300 with 28 homers and 80 RBIs in 141 games in 2021 and was also a member of Japan's gold-winning Olympic baseball team.
The 40-year-old right-hander, who is fifth all-time in NPB with 234 career saves, had not pitched for the Pacific League club's first team since undergoing right groin surgery in April 2018.
Hawks' five-time Japan Series-winning manager Kimiyasu Kudo resigns
The 58-year-old turned down a request from SoftBank to remain in charge after failing to guide the team to the postseason for the first time in his seven-year tenure.
Next Hawks manager won't have same advantages Kimiyasu Kudo enjoyed
The Softbank manager's exit leaves behind some massive shoes to fill — and more questions than answers.
Eight big innings from ace pitcher Kodai Senga and home runs from Alfredo Despaigne and Richard Sunagawa, saw the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks snap their eight-game losing streak with a 3-1 come-from-behind win over the Pacific League-leading Orix Buffaloes on Sunday. On the same day reports ...
SoftBank reportedly offered to renew Kudo's contract, but the manager declined in order to take responsibility for the club underperforming this year.
Wladimir Balentien will not return to SoftBank for 2022 season
The 37-year-old Curacao-born slugger, who holds NPB's single-season home run record, has expressed a desire to continue his career in Japan.
The 39-year-old has 100 career wins, reaching the milestone in 2018 with SoftBank, but has not seen any top-team action this season.
Aces Nick Martinez and Kodai Senga keeping Hawks' playoff hopes alive
The formidable duo will be a significant asset for SoftBank should it manage to earn a spot in the Pacific League's Climax Series.
Nick Martinez pitches Hawks to second straight win over PL-leading Marines
Nick Martinez threw seven scoreless innings in the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' 5-0 win over the Chiba Lotte Marines on Thursday afternoon for their second straight win over the Pacific League leaders. The Hawks, who have won the last four Japan Series, are fourth, seven games ...
