Will Yamaguchi's departure from Yomiuri Giants to MLB clear a path for Sugano?
The biggest question stemming from the Yomiuri Giants' decision to post pitcher Shun Yamaguchi to MLB is not how Yamaguchi might fare in the majors. It's when will Tomoyuki Sugano get there? After years ago solidifying their resistance to the posting system on the back of ...
Giants pitcher Shun Yamaguchi to pursue MLB dream through posting system
Shun Yamaguchi, who led the Central League in wins, strikeouts and winning percentage this season, intends to move to the major leagues through the posting system, the Yomiuri Giants right-hander said Monday. By receiving the nod of approval from the Tokyo-based CL club, the 32-year-old ...
Hawks display tremendous depth, talent en route to Japan Series three-peat
The only thing left to do is marvel at the absolute playoff strength of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Simply calling them strong somehow feels inadequate. But the Hawks have rendered the extraordinary so mind-numbingly routine during the last several postseasons, purposeful simplicity is probably the ...
Hawks sweep Giants to win third straight Japan Series
The end of the NPB season in 2019 looks a lot like it did last year... and in 2017, 2015 and 2014 too. They all finished with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at the top of Japanese baseball. Yurisbel Gracial hit a three-run home run, veteran pitcher ...
Hawks hammer Giants in Game 3, move within win of third consecutive Japan Series crown
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks should be able to taste it now. They've dominated this Japan Series through three games and now the big payoff is just around the corner. Alfredo Despaigne drove in three runs, Yurisbel Gracial homered and Rick van den Hurk did his ...
'Mood-maker' Matsuda lifting Hawks' spirits
Nobuhiro Matsuda, the lively and exuberant soul who plays third base for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, is often referred to as the team's "mood-maker." You can remember the game is supposed to be fun as Matsuda hops around on one leg in the batter's box, ...
Rei Takahashi, HRs give Hawks 2-0 lead on Giants in Japan Series
Nobuhiro Matsuda raised his fist in triumph in front of the dugout as he and over 30,000 fans shook Yafuoku Dome with a spirited yell of "atsuo," the custom in Fukuoka whenever Matsuda goes deep. Matsuda spun around while hopping on one leg as six ...
Ace Kodai Senga stellar again for Hawks in Japan Series opener
Every team had a shot at Kodai Senga. Even the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who ultimately ended up with him, passed on the right-hander a few times during the 2010 draft before taking him as a fourth-choice developmental player. Oh how he has developed. Fast-forward almost a decade ...
Kodai Senga, Yurisbel Gracial lead Hawks past Giants in Japan Series opener
Kodai Senga gave the Yomiuri Giants chances early on as he worked his way into Game 1 of this year's Japan Series. Once the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ace finally got going, however, the Giants' hopes faded with each retired batter. Senga outdueled Shun Yamaguchi in a ...
Blockbuster matchup: Hawks' Kodai Senga vs. Giants' Shun Yamaguchi in Japan Series opener
Shortly before the end of the Japan Series managers' meeting the skippers of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yomiuri Giants were asked to name their starters for Game 1. Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo spoke first, grabbing a mic and stating simply with no hesitation, "For ...
2019 Japan Series managers take trip down memory lane on eve of Game 1
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo admitted to feeling a little bit nostalgic on the eve of this year's Japan Series matchup against the Yomiuri Giants. Kudo was a pitcher for Yomiuri the last time these two clubs vied for the crown. That was in ...
Giants eliminate Tigers to reach Japan Series for first time since 2013
Yoshihiro Maru stood at the plate with two outs, a runner on third and Yuki Nishi staring in from the mound. The game was tied in the sixth inning and the Yomiuri Giants and their fans were hoping for a hit. Some, perhaps, may ...
