Yakult's 2021-2022 Dynasty - The New Golden Era Takatsu Built
The Yakult Swallows' remarkable turnaround from last place in 2020 to back-to-back pennants in 2021-2022 under Shinji Takatsu, featuring Munetaka Murakami's Triple Crown.
History
Articles recording historical events in NPB
Who Has Been Ejected the Most in NPB - The History and Hidden Statistics of Ejections
An ejection in NPB is one of baseball's most dramatic moments. Thrown caps, kicked dirt, uprooted bases. The history of ejections reveals NPB's fiery temperament and produces statistics that few fans ever see.
Enatsu 21 Pitches - Legend of 1979 Japan Series Game 7
The complete account of Yutaka Enatsu's legendary 21 pitches in the 9th inning of Game 7 of the 1979 Japan Series, including the famous squeeze play detection with bases loaded and no outs.
Foreign Players Who Changed NPB - From Bass to Despaigne
Reviewing foreign players who changed NPB history including Bass, Rose, Petajini and analyzing their contributions.
20 Years of Interleague Play - How Central-Pacific Matchups Reshaped NPB's Power Balance
Verifying interleague play's impact on NPB's competitive landscape and team finances through 20 years of data.
The Politics of Retired Numbers - Criteria for Retiring Numbers and Team Considerations
NPB has 24 retired numbers as of 2024. Yet many players with worthy achievements never had their numbers retired. This article analyzes differences in team policies, the practice of 'quasi-retired numbers,' and political maneuvering around jersey numbers.
2013 Rakuten Japan Series - Tanaka Masahiro 24-0 Legend
Rakuten's 2013 championship, powered by Tanaka's unprecedented 24-0 season, culminated in his iconic Game 7 relief appearance one day after throwing 160 pitches.
The Rarity of Triple Crowns - NPB's Most Difficult Batting Achievement
An in-depth analysis of the rarity of Triple Crowns, NPB's most difficult batting achievement. Traces the course from the definition and history of the Triple Crown to the question of whether the next Triple Crown winner will emerge.
Baseball Revival During the Occupation - GHQ and Japanese Professional Baseball
Why was an East-West exhibition game possible in November 1945, only three months after the end of the war? Portrays the backing of GHQ, which positioned baseball as soft power for its democratization policy, the reconstruction of stadiums from the ruins, and the popularity baseball gained through radio broadcasting.
Opening Day Traditions - Evolution of NPB Opening Ceremonies
From the 1959 Emperor's Game and General Douglas MacArthur's 1951 ceremonial first pitch to fireworks, drone shows, and projection mapping. Traces how the ceremonies and ceremonial first pitch productions of NPB's Opening Day have changed with the times.
Origins of Tokyo Big6 Baseball and Its Impact on NPB
A thorough analysis of the origins of Tokyo Big6 baseball and its impact on NPB. Traces the course from the university baseball tradition born from the Waseda-Keio rivalry to the position and challenges of Big6 baseball since the 2010s.
The History of the Japan Series - Great Matchups and Turning Points
Examining the history of the japan series - great matchups and turning points in depth, covering the birth of the japan series and early classic matchups thr..
The Lifetime of Korakuen Stadium - 50 Years Sustaining NPB from 1937 to 1987
Korakuen Stadium opened in Tokyo's Suidobashi district in 1937 and served as the heart of NPB for 50 years until its closure in 1987. As the home of the Yomiuri franchise across the prewar, wartime, and postwar eras, it witnessed the legendary feats of Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh before passing the torch to Tokyo Dome. We trace Korakuen Stadium's lifetime alongside half a century of NPB history.
The 1936 NPB Inaugural Season - The Birth of Japanese Professional Baseball
Examining the inaugural year of the Japanese Professional Baseball League, which launched with seven teams including the Yomiuri, Tigers, and Dragons, playing a two-season spring-autumn format.
Why Doubleheaders Disappeared - When the Everyday Became Extraordinary
Why did doubleheaders, once frequent in NPB, disappear? This article analyzes the complex factors including player workload, broadcasting rights, stadium fees, and changing fan viewing habits.
NPB Draft History - Fate-Changing Selections and Tearful Drama
The history of NPB's draft since 1965: the Egawa Incident's 'blank day,' Kiyohara's tears, Ohtani's Fighters surprise, and the system's evolution.
Draft Lottery Drama - How a Single Draw Changed Team Destinies
Tracing the story of draft lottery drama - how a single draw changed team destinies, from how the draft lottery works to the future of draft reform.
The History of Team Expansion and Relocation - The Evolution of the Franchise System
A detailed exploration of the history of team expansion and relocation - the evolution of the franchise system, spanning early team changes and unstable mana..
The Failure and Exclusion of Women's Professional Baseball - Why Women Were Shut Out
The de facto exclusion of women from NPB: high school baseball's female player ban, the absence of female umpires, and gender barriers in Japanese professional baseball.
The Birth of Japanese Professional Baseball - The Founding Era from 1934 to 1950
An examination of the founding era of Japanese professional baseball from the establishment of the Great Japan Tokyo Baseball Club in 1934 to the two-league system in 1950. This article traces Matsutaro Shoriki's vision, wartime hardships, and postwar development.
NPB's Founding Fervor - 1950s Two-League Split and Dawn-Era Stars
NPB's explosive 1950s: the two-league split to 15 teams, Shigeo Nagashima's debut, Kazuhisa Inao's iron-arm legend, and the Emperor's Game that defined an era.
Complete NPB No-Hitter History - Difference from Perfect Games and Achiever Lineage
Over 90 no-hitters in NPB history: from Eiji Sawamura's three to Yoshiro Sotokoba's three including a perfect game, and Roki Sasaki's 2022 perfecto.
Wartime Baseball Propaganda Tours - Records of Players Sent to the Southern Front
During the Pacific War, NPB players performed baseball before soldiers on the southern front as 'morale-boosting tours.' Used to boost military morale, players were required to play with smiles while witnessing the horrific reality of war.
Evolution of NPB's Postseason - 20 Years of Playoff System Merits and Flaws
Examining how NPB's postseason format has evolved and its impact on pennant race significance.
Japan Series MVP Lineage - Men Who Shone on Autumn's Grand Stage
The lineage of Japan Series MVPs: Nagashima's four awards, Inao's four consecutive wins, Kai's cannon arm, and the legends forged in October's pressure cooker.
Rakuten Eagles Origin Story - The Tohoku Team Born from Baseball's Restructuring Crisis
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' journey from 2004 expansion through a 38-97 inaugural season, the 2011 earthquake, to their first championship in 2013.
NPB Walk-Off Theater - The Stadium Frenzy Born from Comeback Walk-Offs
The most dramatic moments in NPB: walk-off victories from Nagashima's Emperor's Game homer to Oyama's 2023 Japan Series hit, and the psychology behind clutch performances.
Professional Baseball in Wartime Japan - The Relationship Between War and Baseball
An examination of the hardships and survival of Japanese professional baseball during the Pacific War. This article traces the impact of militarism, player conscription, team name changes, and the efforts to preserve baseball amid wartime.
Records of Fallen Baseball Players - Athletes Lost to War
An examination of the records of professional baseball players who lost their lives in the Pacific War. This article analyzes the footsteps of fallen players including Eiji Sawamura, the state of baseball during wartime, and postwar commemoration and preservation of memory.
Perfect Game Records - Ultimate Pitching Achievements in NPB
A chronological examination of all 16 perfect games in NPB history, analyzing each pitcher's performance from Hideo Fujimoto to Roki Sasaki with detailed pitch counts and game context.
The Statistical Miracle of a Perfect Game - Dissecting 16 Near-Impossible Events in NPB History
Only 16 perfect games have been thrown in NPB history. Retiring 27 consecutive batters without allowing a single baserunner requires an extraordinary convergence of pitching dominance, defensive perfection, and sheer luck. This article quantifies just how improbable that convergence is.
The Last Generation of Pitchers at the Plate - A Vanishing NPB Landscape as the DH Expands
For decades, Central League pitchers stepped into the batter's box as a matter of course. With universal DH under discussion, the sight of a pitcher batting may soon vanish from NPB entirely.
Who Benefited Most from Rain-Shortened Games - How Weather Rewrote NPB Results
NPB's rain-shortened games award victory to the team leading after five complete innings. This rule means weather can decide outcomes that nine innings might have reversed. Who has been saved by rain, and who has been robbed?
When NPB Had Players with Identical Names on the Same Roster - The Confusion and Creativity Born from Coincidence
NPB history includes rare instances of players with identical names on the same team. How did teams handle scoreboard displays, record-keeping, and fan confusion when names collided?
The Shinkansen and the Travel Revolution - How Transportation Infrastructure Changed NPB
A detailed exploration of the shinkansen and the travel revolution - how transportation infrastructure changed npb, spanning the harsh travel conditions befo..
Spring Training Evolution - The Development of Camp Culture in NPB
An in-depth analysis of spring training evolution - the development of camp culture in npb, exploring postwar recovery era camps - a tentative beginning and ..
When Strikeouts Were Shameful - How NPB's Perception of the Strikeout Completely Reversed
In NPB's past, striking out was considered shameful. Batters who made contact were praised; those who struck out frequently were labeled 'rough.' Today, hitters who swing hard without fear of strikeouts are celebrated. When and why did this value reversal occur?
Triple Play Records in NPB History
A comprehensive look at the roughly 80 triple plays recorded in NPB history, including unassisted triple plays and rare postseason occurrences.
The Two-League Split - The Birth of the Central and Pacific Leagues in 1950
NPB split into Central and Pacific Leagues in 1950, triggered by conflict over the Mainichi Shimbun's team entry. This traces the causes and lasting impact of the two-league system.
The Art of Walk-Offs - Memorable Walk-Off Moments in NPB History
A detailed look at the most dramatic walk-off home runs and hits in NPB history, featuring game data, player accounts, and statistical context.
Conscription and NPB Players - Baseball and the Military in Wartime Japan
NPB players lost to World War II: Eiji Sawamura's three conscriptions and death at 27, Osamu Kageura's battlefield death, and the war's devastating toll on Japanese professional baseball.
History of Women's Professional Baseball - A Story of Challenge, Setback, and Revival
An examination of the history of women's professional baseball in Japan. This article analyzes the barriers women faced in the baseball world and their efforts to overcome them, from the pioneering era of the 1950s through the establishment and suspension of the Japan Women's Baseball League.
The History of Baseball Naming in Japan - The Birth and Establishment of the Word Yakyu
A comprehensive look at the history of baseball naming in japan - the birth and establishment of the word yakyu, from the birth of the translation yakyu to t..
History of the Baseball Hall of Fame - Evolution of Induction Criteria and Selection
Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame, established in 1959, honors contributors through player and special categories. This article examines evolving selection criteria and ongoing debates.
History of Corporate Ownership - Parent Companies and Team Management
From newspaper and railway companies to IT firms: the evolution of NPB team ownership, the benefits and drawbacks of parent company dependence, and the modern shift toward independent business models.
COVID Impact on NPB - How the Pandemic Changed Baseball
Analyzing the structural changes COVID-19 brought to NPB, including the three-month delayed opening in 2020, spectatorless games, and the 120-game shortened season, along with the new fan culture that emerged.
Earthquakes and Baseball - NPB Response During Major Disasters
A comprehensive look at earthquakes and baseball - npb response during major disasters, from the great hanshin earthquake and orix bluewave to baseball's soc..
The 1985 Miracle - Hanshin Tigers' First Championship in 21 Years
Chronicles the Hanshin Tigers' 1985 league championship and Japan Series victory after a 21-year drought, covering the Bass-Kakefu-Okada cleanup trio, manager Yoshio Yoshida's leadership, and the social phenomenon of championship fever.
The Founding History of the Hanshin Tigers - A Story Beginning as the Osaka Tigers
Tracing the story of the founding history of the hanshin tigers - a story beginning as the osaka tigers, from the birth of the osaka tigers and hanshin railw..
The Longest Extra-Inning Games in NPB History - Revisiting the Extremes of Extended Play
NPB's record for innings is a 28-inning game in 1942; its record for time is 6 hours and 26 minutes in 1992. From nighttime curfews to the Central League's 15-inning era and the 12-inning limit, this article revisits the longest games in NPB history and the endurance they demanded.
The History of the All-Star Game - 70 Years of the Dream Classic
A comprehensive look at the history of the all-star game - 70 years of the dream classic, from origins of the all-star game to the significance and challenge..
Postwar Recovery and Baseball's Role - A National Sport Rising from the Ashes
An examination of baseball's revival and social role in postwar Japan. This article analyzes the resumption of games in devastated cities, the relationship between GHQ occupation policy and baseball, and the role baseball played in the spiritual recovery of postwar Japanese people.
An RBI Without Swinging the Bat - The Curious Statistics of the Bases-Loaded Walk
A bases-loaded walk awards the batter an RBI without ever swinging. With the no-pitch intentional walk, a batter can now earn an RBI without even standing in the batter's box. This article explores the paradoxical statistics surrounding the bases-loaded walk.
The Introduction and Assessment of the Climax Series
A comprehensive look at the introduction and assessment of the climax series, from the pacific league playoff system - predecessor to the cs to the cs establ..
Female Umpires in NPB - Breaking Gender Barriers
NPB has zero female umpires despite no formal gender restriction. While MLB saw its first female minor league umpire in 2021, Japan's barriers remain. This examines institutional and cultural factors.
The 2003 Triumph - Senichi Hoshino's 18-Year Championship Drought Breaker
Chronicles the 2003 Hanshin Tigers league championship after an 18-year drought, covering manager Senichi Hoshino's reforms, the impact of Tomoaki Kanemoto's arrival, and the championship moment that electrified Kansai.
The Complete Record of the Hanshin Tigers' Dark Age - The 1987-2002 Slump
An in-depth analysis of the complete record of the hanshin tigers' dark age - the 1987-2002 slump, exploring the beginning of the dark age - the fall from 19..
The Hanshin Tigers' Postwar Revival - Fumio Fujimura and the First Mr. Tigers
Tracing the story of the hanshin tigers' postwar revival - fumio fujimura and the first mr. tigers, from the end of war and the team's fresh start to the leg..
The Hanshin Tigers and Their Cursed History - Beyond the Dark Ages
A comprehensive look at the hanshin tigers and their cursed history - beyond the dark ages, from the colonel sanders curse to 2023 japan series champions and..
Koshien and Professional Baseball - The Impact of High School Baseball on NPB
A comprehensive look at koshien and professional baseball - the impact of high school baseball on npb, from the history of koshien and its status as a nation..
Nagashima Memorial Game - Tigers Dominate Yomiuri in Tribute Match
The Nagashima memorial game on August 16, 2025 at Tokyo Dome saw the Hanshin Tigers dominate the Yomiuri with Shota Morishita's 2-run homer and Shouki Murakami's shutout.
The Birth and Evolution of Night Games - How Lighting Transformed Japanese Baseball
From Japan's first night game in 1948 through television synergy, salaryman culture, the dome era, and LED lighting revolution, tracing the complete history of NPB's night game culture.
One Out Away - Near Misses of No-Hitters in NPB
While nearly 100 no-hitters have been achieved in NPB history, many pitchers lost their bid with two outs in the ninth. This article revisits memorable near misses including Hiromi Makihara's perfect game attempt and Masa Yamamoto's heartbreaking losses.
10.19 - The 1988 Kintetsu Buffaloes Tragedy
10.19 - The 1988 Kintetsu Buffaloes Tragedy overview.
The 1959 Emperor's Game - The Match of the Century Under the Emperor's Gaze
Examining the 1959 emperor's game - the match of the century under the emperor's gaze in depth, covering background of the emperor's game through historical ..
NPB All-Star Game History - Legendary Moments from the Dream Festival
NPB's All-Star Game since 1951: fan voting, legendary moments, and the evolving format of the midsummer showcase between Central and Pacific League stars.
NPB Batting Title Races - Drama of Men Who Bet Everything on the Final At-Bat
NPB batting title races: Ichiro's seven consecutive titles, the tactical maneuvering around plate appearance thresholds, and the most dramatic title chases in history.
The Evolution of the Captain System - Forms of Leadership in NPB
Some NPB teams have captains while others do not. How has the captain's role evolved? This article examines the lineage of great captains and leadership forms needed in the modern era.
The Powerlessness of NPB Commissioners - A Lineage of Figureheads Who Couldn't Defy Owners
The NPB Commissioner should be baseball's highest authority, but in reality serves merely as a rubber stamp for the owners' meeting.
The History of NPB's Helmet Mandate - 40 Years of Batter Protection Shaped by Beanballs
NPB now mandates double-eared batting helmets, but reaching this standard required tragic beanball incidents and years of debate. From the helmet-less founding era of 1937, through optional helmet use postwar, single-eared helmet adoption, and finally double-eared helmet mandates, batter protection evolved in stages. We trace 40 years of NPB helmet history through the lens of accidents and rule changes.
Roki Sasaki's Perfect Game - The Reiwa Monster's 13 Consecutive and 19 Total Strikeouts Making History
Roki Sasaki's historic perfect game on April 10, 2022: 19 strikeouts including a record 13 consecutive, followed by 8 perfect innings the next week, at age 20.