messenger

Messenger Talks With Daily Sports
February 8, 2019

Messenger Talks With Daily Sports

On February 4, Hanshin pitcher Randy Messenger (37) sat down for an interview with Daily Sports. Randy’s fierce love of the Tigers harkens back to the words of Jeff Williams (46), a current US-based scout and former Tigers pitcher who helped the team win the Central League pennant in 2003 and 2005, who famously said, “the sense of being needed is what separates the men from the boys.” Having played for a full nine seasons, Messenger will no longer count against the cap on foreign players — but he has yet to win a pennant with the Tigers. “Big Mess” opened up about his determination and drive as he prepares to don number 54 for the tenth season.

Book Review Incoming!
July 26, 2018

Book Review Incoming!

It has been a really busy last three months, and a long time since I have posted a book review of any sort! I have “been reading” a book by Yutaka Enatsu for ages… but it’s going to have to be put on hold even longer because this arrived in the mail yesterday: Yes! Randy Messenger…

Game 72 vs. Dragons – All-Star Randy Roasted
July 3, 2018

Game 72 vs. Dragons – All-Star Randy Roasted

The Hanshin Tigers received great news on Monday, as ninth year import pitcher Randy Messenger was named to his first ever all-star team. He was also joined by Kento Itohara (first time) and Yuta Iwasada (second time). Yoshio Itoi was voted in by the players. (Unfortunately, Itoi has been diagnosed with a broken bone in…

Games 66-68 @ BayStars – Home Away from Home
June 28, 2018

Games 66-68 @ BayStars – Home Away from Home

Life as a Tigers fan had been pretty depressing for much of June. Surprisingly, one of the few teams we’ve had success against this season is the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Thanks to them (really, thanks to some untimely errors) we were able to put that 5-game losing streak behind us. SWEEP! Game 66: Brought to…

Games 55-57 @ Fighters – No One Pitched Well
June 14, 2018

Games 55-57 @ Fighters – No One Pitched Well

After a lot of rain and mediocrity during the week at Koshien, the Tigers took their act on the road for the final week of interleague play. First stop: Sapporo Dome to face the resurgent Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Given the powerful bats they have, Hanshin would need theirs to come out and play, plus…

Games 45-47 vs. Hawks – Eating Humble Pie
May 31, 2018

Games 45-47 vs. Hawks – Eating Humble Pie

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks came into interleague play struggling. Our Hanshin Tigers came in ablaze. Amazing how the tides turned for both teams in just a few short days. Game 45 – Tuesday 5/29: Lots of “Chance” Cheers, No Rokko Oroshi Starting Pitchers: Randy Messenger vs. Ken Okamoto Everyone in the stadium, and everyone watching this one…