Tanaka Undefeated Season
In 2013, Masahiro Tanaka of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in 28 starts, recording 183 strikeouts and a 0.94 WHIP, including a record 28 consecutive wins. Tanaka's 2013 season produced 24-0 with 1.27 ERA in 28 games - NPB's greatest single season. His undefeated regular season was unprecedented, leading the league in both wins and ERA.
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Recovery from 2011 Earthquake
Rakuten rise coincided with recovery from the March 11, 2011 earthquake. Based in devastated Sendai, the team rallied under manager Senichi Hoshino, winning their first pennant in their 9th year.
Japan Series Battle
Facing the Giants, the series went to Game 7. Tanaka, who had thrown 160 pitches in a complete game the day before, came in as reliever in the 9th to close out Rakuten first-ever championship. The Japan Series against the Giants went to 7 games. After losing Game 6, Tanaka relieved in Game 7 on one day's rest, taking the mound despite throwing 160 pitches two days prior. This moment became NPB legend.
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Tanaka to MLB
Tanaka signed with the Yankees for 7 years and $155 million. His 24-0 season remains the most perfect in NPB history, and Rakuten championship symbolizes Tohoku recovery. That offseason, Tanaka posted to the Yankees for approximately 2 billion yen, signing a 7-year $155 million deal. Despite losing Tanaka, Rakuten's 2013 championship endures as a Tohoku recovery symbol.