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The Hanshin Tigers are said to have the most dedicated and rabid fans in the world, frequently outnumbering the fans for the home team at away games. I have never been to a home game for the Tigers in Osaka, but I imagine it is pretty fun. Today’s photo was taken in Yokohama when the Tigers were playing the Bay Stars.
Fenway Park
This June we are taking a vacation to New York and Boston. I’m planning on seeing the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox. This morning individual, single-game tickets went on sale for the Red Sox so I grabbed up four seats not too far behind the dugout. They weren’t cheap, but I’m happy. Look for some photos from the game on this blog in late June.
Here is a more close-up view of our seats (B157, Row BB) labeled “HERE” in the images:
Norichika Aoki hits for the Swallows in 2009
The Milwaukee Brewers won the right to negotiate a contract with center fielder Norichika Aoki who has been playing for the Yakult Swallows, a Japanese team located in Tokyo. The Brewers have until mid January to work out a deal with the 29-year-old Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion. The news reports point out that Aoki batted .292 with four home runs and 44 RBIs in 144 games for the Swallows this past season. That doesn’t sound like much to get excited about. However, Aoki had an off year (even though the Swallows had a great year, for once, in 2011) that the media isn’t pointing out. In the six prior seasons he averaged about .340 with about 15 home runs, 64 RBIs (on a lousy team with fewer games than MLB), and 20+ stolen bases. In 2010 he hit .358!
Norichika Aoki in center field for the Yakult Swallows
When I went to the Swallows’ game, Aoki batted third and many, many fans were wearing his jersey. I hope the Brewers sign him and he does well for them.
Japanese Little League Baseball in Tokyo
Just outside the Tokyo Dome I found these kids playing baseball (yakyu). Maybe this is an unusual sight to see in the middle of one of the world’s biggest cities. But Tokyo is no ordinary city. Perhaps the strangest thing is when this scene took place–not in summer, fall, or even spring. This kid was laying down a bunt while the runner on second sprinted for third in the middle of February.
Beer girl at a Chiba Lotte Marines game
On this day, a mere two years ago, I was at the Chiba Lotte Marines game taking this photo. One year later, the Marines were the champions of Japanese baseball. This year they are way back, about 20 games with not much time left in the season. My Lions are faring even worse in the Pacific Division. However, my favorite team in the Central League is in first place! Go Swallows!
Japanese baseball got off to a late start this year because of the earthquake, but all of the teams now have played more than 40 games. The big surprise is that my Tokyo team, the Swallows, is in first place in the Central League! The Yokohama Bay Stars (pictured here) have resumed their normal position near the bottom of the standings. The Softbank Hawks are leading the Pacific League, winning more than 70% of their games. Sadly, the team closest to the March disaster, the Rakuten Eagles, are bringing up the rear in the Pacific.