Japanese Baseball History (1937-present)

Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)

 

One League Era (1937-1949, no Japanese World Series)
Year -Champ
1937 -Kyojin Giants (Spring)
1937 -Hanshin Tigers (Fall)
1938 -Hanshin Tigers (Spring)
1938 -Kyojin Giants (Fall)
1939 -Kyojin  Giants
1940 -Kyojin Giants
1941 -Kyojin Giants
1942 -Kyojin Giants
1943 -Kyojin Giants
1944 -Hanshin Tigers 
1945 -N/A - SEASON SUSPENDED -WWII
1946 -Kinki Great Ring Hawks
1947 -Hanshin Tigers 
1948 -Nakai Hawks 
1949 -Yomiuri Giants 

Japanese World Series
Year -Champion- League	Games 	Runner-Up- League		Series MVP
1950 -Manichi Orions -PL 	4-2 	Shochiku Robins -CL		Kaoru Bettou, Manichi
1951 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Yuko Minamimura, Yomiuri
1952 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Takehiko Bessho, Yomiuri
1953 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2-1 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Tetsuharu Kawakami, Yomiuri
1954 -Chuncihi Dragons -CL 	4-3 	Nishitetsu Lions-PL		Shigeru Sugishita, Chuncihi
1955 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-3 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Takehiko Bessho, Yomiuri
1956 -Nishitetsu Lions -PL 	4-2 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		?
1957 -Nishitetsu Lions -PL 	4-0-1 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Hiroshi Oshita, Nishitetsu
1958 -Nishitetsu Lions -PL 	4-3 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Kazuhisa Inao, Nishitetsu
1959 -Nakai Hawks -PL 		4-0 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Tadashi Sugiura, Nakai
1960 -Taiyo Whales -CL 		4-0 	Daimi Orions -PL		Akihito Kondo, Taiyo
1961 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Akira Shiobara, Yomiuri
1962 -Toei Flyers -PL 		4-2-1 	Hanshin Tigers -CL		Masayuki Tanemo & Masayuki Dobashi, Toei
1963 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-3 	Nishitetsu Lions -PL		Shigeo Nagashima, Yomiuri
1964 -Nakai Hawks -PL		4-3 	Hanshin Tigers -CL		Joe Stanka, Nakai
1965 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Shigeo Nagashima, Yomiur 
1966 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Isao Shibata, Yomiuri
1967 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Masahiko Mori, Yomiuri
1968 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Shigeru Takada, Yomiuri 
1969 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Shigeo Nagashima, Yomiuri 
1970 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Lotte Orions -PL		Shigeo Nagashima, Yomiuri 
1971 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Toshimitsu Suetsugu, Yomiuri
1972 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Tsuneo Horiuchi, Yomiuri
1973 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Nakai Hawks -PL			Tsuneo Horiuchi, Yomiuri
1974 -Lotte Orions -PL 		4-2 	Chuncihi Dragons -CL		?
1975 -Hankyu Braves -PL 	4-0-1 	Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL		?
1976 -Hankyu Braves -PL 	4-3 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Yutaka Fukumoto, Hankyu  
1977 -Hankyu Braves -PL 	4-1 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Hisashi Yamada, Hankyu  
1978 -Yakult Swallows -CL 	4-3 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Katsuo Osugi, Yakult
1979 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL 	4-3 	Kintetsu Buffaloes -PL		Nobuhiko Takahashi, Hiroshima
1980 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL 	4-3 	Kintetsu Buffaloes -PL		Jim Lyttle, Hiroshima
1981 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Nippon Ham Fighters -PL		?
1982 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-3 	Chuncihi Dragons -CL		Osamu Higashio, Siebu
1983 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-3 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		?
1984 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL 	4-3 	Hankyu Braves -PL		Kiyoyuki Nagashima, Hiroshima
1985 -Hanshin Tigers -CL 	4-2 	Siebu Lions -PL			Randy Bass, Hanshin
1986 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-3-1 	Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL		Kimiyasu Kudo, Siebu
1987 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-2 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Kimiyasu Kudo, Siebu
1988 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-1 	Chuncihi Dragons -CL		?
1989 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-3 	Kintetsu Buffaloes -PL		Norihiro Komada, Yomiuri
1990 -Siebu Lions -PL		4-0 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Orestes Destrade, Siebu
1991 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-3 	Hiroshima Toyo Carp -CL		Koji Akiyama, Siebu
1992 -Siebu Lions -PL 		4-3 	Yakult Swallows -CL		Takehiro Ishii, Siebu
1993 -Yakult Swallows -CL 	4-3 	Siebu Lions -PL			Kenjiro Kawasaki, Yakult
1994 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-1 	Siebu Lions -PL			Hiromi Makihara, Yomiuri
1995 -Yakult Swallows -CL 	4-1 	Orix Blue Wave -PL		Tom O'Malley, Yakult
1996 -Orix Blue Wave -PL 	4-1 	Yomiuri Giants -CL		Troy Neel, Orix
1997 -Yakult Swallows -CL 	4-1 	Siebu Lions -PL			Atsuya Furuta, Yakult
1998 -Yokohoma Bay Stars -CL 	4-2 	Siebu Lions -PL			Takanori Suzuki, Yokohoma
1999 -Fukouka Daiei Hawks -PL 	4-1 	Chuncihi Dragons -CL		Koji Akiyama, Fukouka
2000 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-2 	Fukouka Daiei Hawks -PL		Hideki Matsui, Yomiuri
2001 -Yakult Swallows -CL 	4-1	Kintetsu Buffaloes -PL		Atsuya Furuta, Yakult
2002 -Yomiuri Giants -CL 	4-0 	Siebu Lions -PL			Tomohiro Nioka, Yomiuri
2003 -Fukouka Daiei Hawks -PL 	4-3 	Hanshin Tigers -CL		Toshiya Sugiuchi, Fukouka
2004 -Seibu Lions -PL		4-3	Chunichi Dragons -CL		Takashi Ishii, Seibu
2005 -Chiba Lotte Marines -PL	4-0	Hanshin Tigers -CL		Toshiaki Imae, Lotte

Japanese Central League Champions
Year -Champion 			Runner-Up 
1950 -Shochiku Robins 		Chuncihi Dragons
1951 -Yomiuri Giants 		Nagoya Dragons
1952 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1953 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1954 -Chuncihi Dragons 		Yomiuri Dragons
1955 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1956 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1957 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1958 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1959 -Yomiuri Giants 		Osaka Tigers
1960 -Taiyo Whales 		Yomiuri Giants
1961 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncini Dragons
1962 -Hanshin Tigers 		Taiyo Whales
1963 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncini Dragons
1964 -Hanshin Tigers 		Taiyo Whales
1965 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncini Dragons
1966 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncini Dragons
1967 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncini Dragons
1968 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hanshin Tigers
1969 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hanshin Tigers
1970 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hanshin Tigers
1971 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncihi Dragons
1972 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hanshin Tigers
1973 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hanshin Tigers
1974 -Chuncihi Dragons 		Yomiuri Giants
1975 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Chuncihi Dragons
1976 -Yomiuri Giants 		HanshinTigers
1977 -Yomiuri Giants 		Yakult Swallows
1978 -Yakult Swallows 		Yomiuri Giants
1979 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Yokohoma Taiyo Whales
1980 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Yakult Swallows
1981 -Yomiuri Giants 		HiroshimaToyo Carp
1982 -Chuncihi Dragons 		Yomiuri Giants
1983 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hiroshima Toyo Carp
1984 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Chuncihi Dragons
1985 -Hanshin Tigers 		Hiroshima Toyo Carp
1986 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Yomiuri Giants
1987 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncihi Dragons
1988 -Chuncihi Dragons 		Yomiuri Giants
1989 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hiroshima Toyo Carp
1990 -Yomiuri Giants 		Hiroshima Toyo Carp
1991 -Hiroshima Toyo Carp 	Chuncihi Dragons
1992 -Yakult Swallows 		Yomiuri Giants
1993 -Yakult Swallows 		Chuncihi Dragons
1994 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncihi Dragons
1995 -Yakult Swallows 		Hiroshima Toyo Carp
1996 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncihi Dragons
1997 -Yakult Swallows 		Yokohoma Bay Stars
1998 -Yokohoma Bay Stars 	Chuncihi Dragons
1999 -Chuncihi Dragons 		Yomiuri Giants
2000 -Yomiuri Giants 		Chuncihi Dragons
2001 -Yakult Swallows 		Yomiuri Giants
2002 -Yomiuri Giants 		Yakult Swallows
2003 -Hanshin Tigers 		Chunichi Dragons
2004 -Chunichi Dragons		Yakult Swallows
2005 -Hanshin Tigers 		Chunichi Dragons

Japanese Pacific League Champions
Year -Champion 			Runner-Up 
1950 -Manichi Orions 		Nakai Hawks
1951 -Nakai Hawks 		Nishitetsu Lions
1952 -Nakai Hawks 		Manichi Dragons
1953 -Nakai Hawks 		Hankyu Braves
1954 -Nishitetsu Lions 		Nakai Hawks
1955 -Nakai Hawks 		Nishitetsu Lions
1956 -Nishitetsu Lions 		Nakai Hawks
1957 -Nishitetsu Lions 		Nakai Hawks
1958 -Nishitetsu Lions 		Nakai Hawks
1959 -Nakai Hawks 		Daimai Orions
1960 -Daimai Orions 		Nakai Hawks
1961 -Nakai Hawks 		Toei Flyers
1962 -Toei Flyers 		Nakai Hawks
1963 -Nishitetsu Lions 		Nakai Hawks
1964 -Nakai Hawks 		Hankyu Braves
1965 -Nakai Hawks 		Toei Flyers
1966 -Nakai Hawks 		Nishitetsu Lions
1967 -Hankyu Braves 		Nishitetsu Lions
1968 -Hankyu Braves 		Nakai Hawks
1969 -Hankyu Braves 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1970 -Lotte Orions 		Nakai Hawks
1971 -Hankyu Braves 		Lotte Orions
1972 -Hankyu Braves 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1973 -Nakai Hawks 		Hankyu Braves
1974 -Lotte Orions 		Hankyu Braves
1975 -Hankyu Braves 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1976 -Hankyu Braves 		Nakai Hawks
1977 -Hankyu Braves 		Nakai Hawks
1978 -Hankyu Braves 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1979 -Kintetsu Buffaloes 	Hankyu Braves
1980 -Kintetsu Buffaloes 	Lotte Orions
1981 -Nippon Ham Fighters 	Hankyu Braves
1982 -Siebu Lions 		Nippon Ham Fighters
1983 -Siebu Lions 		Hankyu Braves
1984 -Hankyu Braves 		Lotte Orions
1985 -Siebu Lions 		Lotte Orions
1986 -Siebu Lions 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1987 -Siebu Lions 		Hankyu Braves
1988 -Siebu Lions 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1989 -Kintetsu Buffaloes 	Orix Braves
1990 -Siebu Lions 		Orix Braves
1991 -Siebu Lions 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1992 -Siebu Lions 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
1993 -Siebu Lions 		Nippon Ham Fighters
1994 -Siebu Lions 		Orix Blue Wave
1995 -Orix Blue Wave 		Chiba Lotte Marines
1996 -Orix Blue Wave 		Nippon Ham Fighters
1997 -Siebu Lions 		Orix Blue Wave
1998 -Siebu Lions 		Nippon Ham Fighters
1999 -Fukouka Daiei Hawks 	Siebu Lions
2000 -Fukouka Daiei Hawks 	Siebu Lions
2001 -Kintetsu Buffaloes 	Daiei Hawks
2002 -Siebu Lions 		Kintetsu Buffaloes
2003 -Fukouka Daiei Hawks 	Siebu Lions
2004 -Seibu Lions		Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
2005 -Chiba Lotte Marines	Fukuoka Softbank Hawks

Early Japanese League MVP Award Winners
Year		Pos	Player, Team  			Avg HR RBI 	W L  ERA SV 
1937 (Spring) 	P	Eij Sawamura, Giants    				24 4  0.81  
1937 (Fall) 	C	Harris McGalliard, Eagles   	0.310 1 24     
1938 (Spring) 	2B	Hisanori Karita, Senators   	0.299 5 15     
1938 (Fall) 	OF	Haruyasu Nakajima, Giants  	0.361 10 38     
1939  		P	Victor Starfin, Giants    				42 15  1.73  
1940  		P	Hiroshi Suda, Giants    				38 12  0.97  
1941  		1B	Tetsuharu Kawakami, Giants  	0.310 4 57     
1942  		3B	Shigeru Mizuhara, Giants       	no info
1943  		OF	Shosei Go, Giants  		0.300 2 20     
1944  		P	Tadashi Wakabayashi, Tigers     			22 4  1.56  
1945   	N/A - SEASON SUSPENDED -WWII
1946  		IF	Kazundo Yamamoto, Hawks   	0.314 4 95     
1947  		P	Tadashi Wakabayashi, Tigers     			26 12  2.09  
1948  		IF	Kazundo Yamamoto, Hawks   	0.305 8 68     
1949  		3B	Fumio Fujimura, Tigers  		0.332 46 142     

Pacific League MVP Award Winners
Year	Pos	Player, Team  			Avg HR RBI 	W L  ERA SV
1950	OF	Kaoru Betto, Orions  		0.335 43 105     
1951	2B	Kazuhito Yamamoto, Hawks   	0.311 2 58     
1952	P	Susumu Yuki, Hawks     				19 7  1.91  
1953	2B	Isami Okamoto, Hawks  	 		0.318 19 77     
1954	OF	Hiroshi Oshita, Lions   	0.321 22 88     
1955	OF	Tokuji Iida, Hawks   		0.310 14 75     
1956	3B	Futoshi Nakanishi, Lions   	0.325 29 95     
1957	P	Kazuhisa Inao, Lions     			35 6  1.37  
1958	P	Kazuhisa Inao, Lions     			33 10  1.42  
1959	P	Tadashi Sugiura, Hawks     			38 4  1.40  
1960	OF	Kazuhiro Yamauchi, Orions  	0.313 32 103     
1961	C	Katsuya Nomura, Hawks   	0.296 29 89     
1962	OF	Isao Harimoto, Flyers  		0.333 31 99     
1963	C	Kazuya Nomura, Hawks   		0.291 52 135     
1964	P	Joe Stanka, Hawks     				26 7  2.40  
1965	C	Katsuya Nomura, Hawks   	0.320 42 110     
1966	C	Katsuya Nomura, Hawks   	0.312 34 97     
1967	P	Mitsuhiro Adachi, Braves    			20 10  1.75  
1968	P	Tetsuya Yoneda, Braves    			29 13  2.79  
1969	OF	Atsushi Nagaike, Braves  	0.316 41 101     
1970	P	Masaaki Kitaru, Orions    			21 10  2.53  
1971	OF	Atsushi Nagaike, Braves  	0.317 40 114     
1972	OF	Yutaka Fukumoto, Braves  	0.301 14 40     
1973	C	Katsuya Nomura, Hawks   	0.309 28 96     
1974	P	Tomehiro Kaneda, Orions    			16 7  2.90 
1975	1B	Hideji Kato, Braves  		0.309 32 97     
1976	P	Hisashi Yamada Braves    			26 7  2.39  
1977	P	Hisashi Yamada, Braves   		 		16 10  2.28  
1978	P	Hisashi Yamada, Braves    			18 4  2.66  
1979	OF	Charlie Manuel, Buffaloes   	0.324 37 94     
1980	P	Isamu Kida, Fighters     			22 8  2.28  
1981	RP	Yutaka Enatsu, Fighters     			3 6  2.82 25 
1982	2B	Hiromitsu Ochiai, Orions  	0.325 32 99     
1983	P	Osamu Higashio, Lions     			18 9  2.92  
1984	1B	Boomer Wells, Braves  		0.355 37 130     
1985	3B	Hiromitsu Ochiai, Orions  	0.367 52 146     
1986	SS	Hiromichi Ishige, Lions   	0.329 27 89     
1987	P	Osamu Higashio, Lions     			15 9  2.59  
1988	OF	Hiromitsu Kadota, Hawks   	0.311 44 125     
1989	OF	Ralph Bryant, Buffaloes   	0.283 49 121     
1990	P	Hideo Nomo, Buffaloes     			18 8  2.91  
1991	P	Taigen Kaku, Lions     				15 6  2.59  
1992	P	Takehiro Ishii, Lions     			15 3  1.94  
1993	P	Kimiyasu Kudo, Lions     			15 3  2.06  
1994	OF	Ichiro Suzuki, Blue  		0.385 13 54     
1995	OF	Ichiro Suzuki, Blue  		0.342 25 80     
1996	OF	Ichiro Suzuki, Blue  		0.356 16 84     
1997	P	Fumiya Nishiguchi, Lions     			15 5  3.12  
1998	SS	Kazuo Matsui, Lions   		0.311 9 58     
1999	P	Kimiyasu Kudo, Hawks     			11 7  2.38  
2000	1B	Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Hawks   	0.312 33 106     
2001	OF	Tuffy Rhodes, Buffaloes   	0.327 55 131     
2002	1B	Alex Cabrera, Lions  		0.334 55 115     
2003	C	Kenji Jojima, Hawks  		0.330 34 119        
2004	IF	Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Hawks	0.358 44 120
2005	P	Toshiya Sugiuchi, Hawks				18-4  2.11	

Central League MVP Award Winners
Year	Pos	Player, Team  			Avg HR RBI 	W L  ERA SV 
1950	OF	Makoto Kozuru, Robins		0.355 51 161     
1951	1B	Tetsuharu Kawakami, Giants  	0.377 15 81     
1952	P	Takehiko Bessho, Giants     			33 13  1.94  
1953	P	Takumi Otomo, Giants     			27 6  1.85  
1954	P	Shigeru Sugishita, Dragons     			32 12  1.39  
1955	1B	Tetsuharu Kawakami, Giants   	0.338 12 79     
1956	P	Takehiko Bessho, Giants     			27 15  1.93  
1957	OF	Wally Yonamine, Giants   	0.343 12 48     
1958	P	Motoshi Fujita, Giants     			29 13  1.53  
1959	P	Motoshi Fujita, Giants     			27 11  1.83  
1960	P	Noboru Akiyama, Whales				21 10  1.75  
1961	3B	Shigeo Nagashima, Giants   	0.353 28 86     
1962	P	Minoru Murayama, Tigers     			24 14  1.20  
1963	3B	Shigeo Nagashima, Giants   	0.341 37 112     
1964	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants  		0.320 55 119     
1965	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.322 42 104     
1966	3B	Shigeo Nagashima, Giants   	0.344 26 105     
1967	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.326 47 108     
1968	3B	Shigeo Nagashima, Giants   	0.318 39 125     
1969	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.345 44 103     
1970	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.325 47 93     
1971	3B	Shigeo Nagashima, Giants   	0.320 34 86     
1972	P	Tsuneo Horiuchi, Giants     			26 9  2.91  
1973	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.355 51 114     
1974	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.322 49 107     
1975	OF	Koji Yamamoto, Carp   		0.319 30 84     
1976	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.325 49 123     
1977	1B	Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		0.324 50 124     
1978	OF	Tsutomu Wakamatsu, Swallows  	0.341 17 71     
1979	RP	Yutaka Enatsu, Carp     			9 5  2.66 22 
1980	OF	Koji Yamamoto, Carp   		0.336 44 112     
1981	P	Suguru Egawa, Giants     			20 6  2.29  
1982	C	Takayoshi Nakao, Dragons   	0.282 18 47     
1983	3B	Tatsunori Hara, Giants   	0.302 32 103     
1984	3B	Sachio Kinugasa, Carp   	0.329 31 102     
1985	1B	Randy Bass, Tigers   		0.350 54 134     
1986	P	Manabu Kitabeppu, Carp     			18 4  2.43  
1987	C	Kazuhiro Yamakura, Giants   	0.273 22 66     
1988	RP	Genji Kaku, Dragons     			7 6  1.96 37 
1989	OF	Warren Cromartie, Giants   	0.378 15 72     
1990	P	Masaki Saito, Giants     			20 5  2.17  
1991	P	Shinji Sasaoka, Carp     			17 9  2.44  
1992	3B	Jack Howell, Swallows   	0.331 38 87     
1993	C	Atsuya Furuta, Swallows   	0.308 17 75     
1994	P	Masumi Kuwata, Giants     			14 11  2.52  
1995	1B	Tom O'Malley, Swallows   	0.302 31 87     
1996	OF	Hideki Matsui, Giants   	0.314 38 99     
1997	C	Atsuya Furuta, Swallows   	0.322 9 86     
1998	RP	Kazuhiro Sasaki, Bay    			1 1  0.64 45 
1999	P	Shigeki Noguchi, Dragons     			19 7  2.65  
2000	OF	Hideki Matsui, Giants   	0.316 42 108     
2001	1B	Roberto Petagine, Swallows   	0.322 39 127     
2002	OF	Hideki Matsui, Giants 	 		0.334 50 107     
2003	P	Kei Igawa, Tigers     				20 5  2.80       
2004	P	Kenshin Kawakami, Dragons			17 7  3.32
2005	OF	Tomoaki Kanemoto, Hanshin 	.327  40 135

Japanese Triple Crown Winners
Year  Player, Team      		BA   HR  RBI
1938  -Haruyasu Nakajima, Giants   	.361  10   38
1965  -Katsuya Nomura, Nankai   	.320  42  110
1973  -Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		.355  51  114
1974  -Sadaharu Oh, Giants   		.332  49  107
1982  -Hiromitsu Ochiai, Lotte    	.325  32   99
1984  -Boomer Wells, Hankyu  	 	.355  37  130
1985  -Hiromitsu Ochiai, Lotte    	.367  52  146 
1985  -Randy Bass, Hanshin  		.350  54  134
1986  -Hiromitsu Ochiai, Lotte    	.360  50  116
1986  -Randy Bass, Hanshin  		.389  47  109
2004  -Nomuhiko Matsunaka, Daiei    	.358  44  120

All Time Greatest Player - Sadaharu Oh (1959-1980, (2831 gms, 2786 hits-9250 ABs, .301 Avg., 868 HRs,
2170 RBIs, 2390 walks, 9 MVP Awards, 18 All Star Selections, 15 Home Run titles - 13 consecutive, 5 Batting Titles,
13 RBI titles, 2 Triple Crowns, 15 Grand Slams, Hit for the cycle once and also hit 4 HRs in a single game - Led 
Yomiuri Giants to 11 Japanese World Series Championships).

All Time Home Run Leaders
Sadaharu Oh 		868
Katsuya Nomura 		657
Hiromitsu Kadota 	567
Koji Yamamoto 		536
Kazuhiro Kiyohara 	514
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	510
Isao Harimoto 		504
Sachio Kinugasa 	504
Katsuo Osugi 		486
Koichi Tabuchi 		474
Masashiro Doi 		465
Shigeo Nagashima 	444
Koji Akiyama 		437

All Time RBI Leaders
Sadaharu Oh 		2170
Katsuya Nomura 		1988
Hiromitsu Kadota 	1678
Isao Harimoto 		1676
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	1564
Shigeo Nagashima 	1522
Katsuo Osugi 		1507

All Time Hit Leaders
Isao Harimoto		3085
Katsuya Nomura		2901
Sadaharu Oh		2786

All Time Batting Leaders (Minimum 4000 ABs)
Leron Lee 		.320
Tsutomu Wakamatsu 	.319
Isao Harimoto 		.319
Boomer Wells 		.317
Tetsuharu Kawakami 	.313
Wally Yonamine 		.311
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	.311
Takanori Suzuki 	.310
Kazuo Matsui 		.309
Leon Lee 		.308

All Time Batting Leaders (Minimum 2000 ABs)
Ichiro Suzuki 		.353
Randy Bass 		.337
Bobby Rose 		.325
Michihiro Ogasawara 	.325
Roberto Petagine 	.322
Warren Cromartie 	.321

All-Time Pitching Leaders
Masaichi Kaneda 	400-298, 2.34, 4490 K's, 82 shutouts
Tetsuya Yoneda 		350-285, 2.91, 3388 K's, 64 shutouts
Masaaki Koyama 		320-232, 2.45, 3159 K's, 74 shutouts
Keishi Suzuki 		317-238, 3.11, 3061 K's, 71 shutouts
Takehiko Bessho 	310-178, 2.18, 1934 K's, 72 shutouts
Victor Starfin 		303-176, 2.09, 1960 K's, 83 shutouts
Hisashi Yamada 		284-166, 3.18, 2058 K's
Kazuhisa Inao 		276-137, 1.98, 2574 K's
Takao Kajimoto 		254-255, 2.65, 2945 K's
Osamu Higashio 		251-247, 3.50, 1684 K's
Jiro Noguchi 		237-139, 1.96, 1395 K's, 64 Shutouts
Shigeru Sugishita 	215-123, 2.23, 1761 K's
Yutaka Enatsu 		206-158, 2.49, 2987 K's
Hideo Fujimoto 		200- 97, 1.90, 1177 K's, 63 Shutouts
Eiji Sawamura 		 63- 22, 1.74,  554 K's, 3 no-hitters

Season Records

Batting Average 
Randy Bass 		.389 (1986) 
Ichiro Suzuki 		.387 (2000) 
Ichiro Suzuki 		.385 (1994)
Hiroshi Oshita 		.383 (1951)
Isao Harimoto 		.383 (1970)

Home Runs 
Sadaharu Oh 		55 (1964)
Tuffy Rhodes 		55 (2001)
Alex Cabrera 		55 (2002)
Randy Bass 		54 (1985)
Katsuya Nomura 		52 (1963)
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	52 (1985)
Makoto Kozuru 		51 (1950)
Sadaharu Oh 		51 (1973)
Sadaharu Oh 		50 (1977)
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	50 (1986)
Alex Cabrera 		50 (2003)

RBIs
Makoto Kozuru 		161 (1950)
Bobby Rose 		153 (1999)
Hiromitsu Ochiai 	146 (1985)
Fumio Fujimura 		142 (1939)
Katsuya Nomura 		135 (1963)
Randy Bass 		134 (1985)

Wins
Victor Starfin 		42-15 (1939)
Kazuhisa Inao 		42-14 (1961)
Jiro Noguchi 		40-17 (1942)
Shigeo Sanada 		39-12 (1950)
Hiroshi Suda 		38-12 (1938)
Tadashi Sugiura 	38- 4 (1959)

Strikeouts
Yutaka Enatsu 		401 (1968)
Inao Kazuhisa 		353 (1961)
Masaichi Kaneda 	350 (1955)
Yutaka Enatsu 		340 (1970)
Tadashi Sugiura 	336 (1959)

Jim Albright's Players of the Decade:

One League Era (before 1950) 
Victor Starfin,  Pitcher

1950's 
Central League- Masaichi Kaneda, Pitcher
Pacific League- Kazuhisa Inao, Pitcher

1960's 
Central League- Sadaharu Oh, First Base
Pacific League- Katsuya_Nomura, Catcher

1970's 
Central League- Sadaharu Oh, First Base
Pacific League- Yutaka Fukumoto, Outfield

1980's 
Central League- Koji Yamamoto, Outfield
Pacific League- Hiromitsu Ochiai, Infield

1990's 
Central League- Hideki Matsui, Outfield
Pacific League- Ichiro Suzuki, Outfield


Jim Albright's All Time Japanese Baseball Team by Position:
P -  Masaichi Kaneda (1950-69, 400-298, 2.34 ERA, 4490 K's) - Kokutetsu Swallows, HOF-1988
C -  Katsuya Nomura (1954-80, .277, 657 HRs) - Nankai Hawks, HOF-1989
1B - Sadaharu Oh (1959-80, .301, 868 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1994
2B - Shigeru Chiba (1938-56, .284, 96 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1980
SS - Yasumitsu Toyoda (1953-79, .277, 263 HRs) - Nishitetsu Lions
3B - Shigeo Nagashima (1958-74, .305, 444 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1988
OF - Isao Harimoto (1959-81, 3085 hits, 319, 504 HRs) - Toei Flyers, HOF-1990
OF - Kazuhiro Yamauchi (1952-70, .295, 396 HRs) - Mainichi/Daimai Orions, HOF-2002
OF - Koji Yamamoto (1969-86, .290, 536 HRs) - Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Other Great Japanese Players
C -  Koichi Tabuchi (1969-84, .280, 474 HRs) - Hanshin Tigers
1B - Hiromitsu Ochiai (1979-98, .311, 510 HRs) - Lotte Orions
1B - Tetsuharu Kawakami (1938-58, .313, 181 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1979
1B - Katsuo Osugi (1965-83, .287, 486 HRs) - Nippon Ham Fighters, HOF-1997
1B - Kihachi Enomoto (1955-72, .298, 246 HRs) - Daimai Orions 
1B - Kazuhiro Kiyohara (1986-present, .273, 514 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants
3B - Fumio Fujimura (1936-58, .300, 244 HRs) - Hanshin Tigers, HOF-1974
3B - Sachio Kinugasa (1965-87, 2215 cons. gms, .270, 504 HRs) - Hiroshima Toyo Carp, HOF-1996
3B - Masayuki Kakefu (1974-88, .292, 349 HRs) - Hanshin Tigers
OF - Yutaka Fukumoto (1969-88, 1065 SBs, .291, 208 HRs) - Hankyu Braves, HOF-2002
OF - Hiromitsu Kadota (1970-92, .289, 567 HRs) - Nakai Hawks
OF - Hideki Matsui (1993-02, .304, 332 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants
OF - Ichiro Suzuki (1992-00, .353, 118 HRs) - Orix Blue Wave
OF - Koji Akiyama (1981-02, .270, 437 HRs) - Siebu Lions 
OF - Masahiro Doi (1962-81, .282, 465 HRs) - Kintetsu Buffaloes
OF - Shinichi Eto (1959-76, .287, 357 HRs) - Chunichi Dragons
P  - Victor Starfin (1946-55, 303-176, 2.09 ERA) - Tokyo Kyojin, HOF-1969
P  - Kazuhisa Inao (1956-69, 276-137, 1.98 ERA) - Nishitetsu Lions, HOF-1993
P  - Takehiko Bessho (1942-60, 310-168, 2.18 ERA) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1979
P  - Tetsuya Yoneda (1956-76, 350-285, 2.91 ERA) - Hankyu Braves, HOF-2000
P  - Masaaki Koyama (1953-73, 320-232, 2.45 ERA) - Osaka Tigers, HOF-2001
P  - Keishi Suzuki (1966-85, 317-238, 3.11 ERA) - Kintetsu Buffaloes, HOF-2002
P  - Jiro Noguchi (1939-52, 237-139, 1.96 ERA) - Hankyu Braves, HOF-1989
P  - Shigeru Sugishita (1949-61, 215-123, 2.23 ERA) - Chunichi Dragons, HOF-1985

Great American Baseball Players:
1B - Greg "Boomer" Wells (1983-92, .317, 277 HRs) - Hankyu Braves
1B - Randy Bass (1983-88, .337, 202 HRs) - Hanshin Tigers
1B - Leon Lee (1978-87, .308, 268 HRs) - Lotte Orions
2B - Bobby Rose (1993-00, .325, 167) - Yokohoma Bay Stars
2B - Alex Cabrera (2001-present, .308, 179) - Siebu Lions
OF - Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes (1996-present, .288, 358 HRs) - Kintetsu Buffaloes
OF - Kaname "Wally" Yonamine (1951-62, .311, 82 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants, HOF-1994
OF - LeRon Lee (1977-87, .320, 283 HRs) - Lotte Orions
OF - Warren Cromartie (1984-90, .321, 171 HRs) - Yomiuri Giants
OF - Ralph Bryant (1988-95, .261, 259 HRs) - Kintetsu Buffaloes
DH - Tony Solaita (1980-83, .268, 155 HRs)- Nippon Ham Fighters

Jim Albright's Top-10 All Time Japanese Baseball Players:
 1. Sadaharu Oh (1B)
 2. Katsuya Nomura (C)
 3. Shigeo Nagashima (3B)
 4. Isao Harimoto (OF)
 5. Masaichi Kaneda (P)
 6. Victor Starfin (P)
 7. Hiromitsu Ochiai (1B)
 8. Kazuhiro Yamauchi (OF)
 9. Kazuhisa Inao (P)
10. Koji Yamamoto (OF)

First Annual Konami Cup (Asian Cup Series - November 10-13, 2005)

Konami Cup Web Site

Round Robin Results
Sinon Bulls, Taiwan defeated China Hope Stars, China 6-0
Chiba Lotte Marines, Japan defeated Samsung Lions, South Korea 6-2
Samsung Lions, South Korea defeated China Hope Stars, China 8-3
Chiba Lotte Marines, Japan defeated Sinon Bulls, Taiwan 12-1
Chiba Lotte Marines, Japan defeated China Hope Stars, China 3-1
Samsung Lions, South Korea defeated Sinon Bulls, Taiwan 4-3

Round Robin Records (top 2 play for the title)
1. Chiba Lotte Marines, Japan (3-0)
2. Samsung Lions, South Korea (2-1)
3. Sinon Bulls, Taiwan (1-2)
4. China Hope Stars, China (0-3)

Championship:
Lotte Marines, Japan defeated Samsung Lions, South Korea 5-3

Chinese Baseball Association (CBA)
30 Game schedule - championship Mid July
Bejin Tigers
Guandong Leopards
Tianjin Lions
Shanghai Golden Eagles
Sichuan Dragons
China Hope Stars (Champion)

Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)
100 game schedule - championship late October
Brother Elephants
uni-President Lions
Sinon Bulls (Champion)
Chinatrust Whales
Macoto Cobras
La New Bears

Korean Baseball Organization (KBO)
126 game schedule - championship late October
Hyundai Unicorns
SK Wyverns
Kia Tigers
Samsung Lions (Champion)
Hanana Eagles
LG Twins
Lotte Giants
Doosan Bears

Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
Pacific-
136 game schedule - championship late October
Seibu Lions
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Chiba Lotte Marines (Champion, beat Central League Champ Hanshin Tigers in Japan Series)
Orix Buffaloes
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

Central-
146 game schedule - championship late October
Chunichi Dragons
Yakult Swallows
Yomuri Giants
Hanshin Tigers
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Yokohama Bay Stars

Photos of some of the greats: