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Gone in 2023, New in 2024

Gone in 2023, New in 2024

Last year saw our team win its first pennant in 18 years and just its second Nippon Series ever (and first since 1985). But the thing is, no team can stay the same from year to year. This team did relatively little to alter the magic formula that was so successful in 2023, but here…

Games 105-107 @ Carp: Streak Ends – So What?

Games 105-107 @ Carp: Streak Ends – So What?

Note: I did not watch these games and am doing this recap (along with the rest of the August scorecards) retrospectively for the purpose of having them on record. Enjoy the scorecards for what they are worth, but I do not have anything insightful to say about this series. I hear that Tuesday’s game was…

Games 74-76 @ Carp: Scoring Was an Issue

Games 74-76 @ Carp: Scoring Was an Issue

Trips to Hiroshima have been hard for this team in the past decade, and this trip was no exception. One of our players made the trip but then left without even setting foot on the field. (No, not Yangervis Solarte – that was 4 years ago already!) Koji Chikamoto took a fastball to the ribs…

Game 12 vs. Carp: Come-From-Behind Tie!

Game 12 vs. Carp: Come-From-Behind Tie!

This one looked pretty bad through the top of the fourth, as starter Shintaro Fujinami struggled with his command and the Carp bats took full advantage. A Yusuke Ohyama home run started the comeback and the batters got to Carp starter Ohsera in the middle innings. Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize on their…

Game 11 vs. Baystars: Missed Opportunities

Game 11 vs. Baystars: Missed Opportunities

I have no words for what happened in tonight’s game. Masashi Itoh pitched a gem through 8 ⅔ innings. He also provided the Tigers’ lone run, while the rest of the batters were unable to capitalize on their ample chances. The top of the twelfth went too long and was too painful to watch (or…

Hanshin Player Primer 2022: The Bullpen

Hanshin Player Primer 2022: The Bullpen

If you are a new fan and are not particularly familiar with the team, let this be your introduction! We are going to break down the entire roster for you very briefly so you can get a feel for who is whom, what they have done, and what they might do in 2022 and beyond….