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November 25, 2024
 

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Wayne Graczyk
Wayne Graczyk has written the "Baseball Bullet-In" column in The Japan Times since 1976. A native of New Jersey, he came to Japan in 1969 with the U.S. Air Force and is a 1977 graduate of Tokyo's Sophia University. Wayne was the long-time (1977-2004) sports editor of the Tokyo Weekender newspaper, he covers Yomiuri Giants baseball games for Nippon TV and, since 1976, he has compiled the Japan Pro Baseball Fan Handbook & Media Guide. He is a member of the Tokyo Sportswriters Club and the Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan. Notice Wayne Graczyk, the baseball columnist for The Japan Times for the past 40 years, passed away at the age of 68 on April 19. His final column was posted on April 8. Readers can continue to access his coverage of Japanese baseball through the online archives.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Apr 8, 2017
Future high-rise building could provide free views of Jingu Stadium games
It appears some apartment dwellers in Tokyo will soon have a great view of Yakult Swallows games at Meiji Jingu Stadium. A high-rise building is under construction right across the street from the ballpark. It's on the road that runs from the future site of the new National Stadium to the T intersection...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Mar 25, 2017
MLB Network’s Martinez, Waltz inform and entertain during WBC telecasts
Good show put on by Major League Baseball and the organizers of the 2017 World Baseball Classic Asia rounds held in Seoul and Tokyo earlier this month.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Mar 11, 2017
BayStars look to replicate Carp's 2016 success
Can the Yokohama BayStars become this year's Hiroshima Carp?
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Feb 25, 2017
Legend Nagashima rekindles memories of an unforgettable life in baseball
It was good seeing former Yomiuri Giants third baseman and manager Shigeo Nagashima visiting the team's spring training camp in Miyazaki earlier this month. He just turned 81 this past week and is visibly handicapped by a stroke suffered in 2004 that limits movement on the right side of his body and...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Feb 11, 2017
Flurry of stadium naming rights continues in NPB
Are you going to any games this coming season at ZOZO?
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 21, 2017
Late slugger Daryl Spencer brought passion, pride, power to Hankyu Braves
The Baseball Bullet-In this week remembers Daryl Spencer, the former Hankyu Braves slugger who died Jan. 2 in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 88.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 7, 2017
Can Naoki 'The Flea' Nakahigashi extend his career?
Happy New Year to all Baseball Bullet-In readers, and let the countdown begin. Just 24 days until the Japanese pro ball clubs begin spring training camps on the way to opening day of the regular season on March 31.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 24, 2016
Ex-Dragons star Powell reminisces about playing days in Japan
One of the most prolific hitters among foreign players in Japan, and a most fan- and media-friendly personality, returned to the country earlier this month to say "konnichi wa" and offer batting instruction to Japanese youngsters.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 10, 2016
A plethora of familiar foreign players now on free-agent market
The NPB last week posted the rosters for each of the 12 Central and Pacific League teams, indicating which players remain on the register for 2017 and those who have been released and are under jiyu keiyaku, or free contract status.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 26, 2016
Pondering Trump's future prospects of throwing out first pitches in MLB, NPB
What kind of president will Donald Trump be regarding sports?
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 12, 2016
Sentimental reflections on late Cubs supporters after team's epic wait for World Series title
During the 11 days since the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years, much has been written and circulated about the dedicated fans, supporters and players who lived their lives and died before they could experience the exhilaration enjoyed earlier this month by the living Cubs faithful....
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Oct 22, 2016
Veteran pitcher Standridge's life, family enriched by adopted Japanese daughter
Joy Standridge posted on social media Oct. 6 that her husband, Jason Standridge, "pitched his last game last night — maybe forever." The Chiba Lotte right-hander started the Marines' final game of the 2016 season at home, and he won, beating the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, 7-1.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Oct 8, 2016
Out-of-town scoreboards would enrich experience at all ballparks
Why don't the Japanese pro baseball stadiums have out-of-town scoreboards, and why do many of the main ballparks not display the home-run distances on the fences?
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Sep 24, 2016
Making a toast to retiring beer girl Misato
The intai jiai (retirement game) is a significant event in Japanese pro baseball for long-time star players about to hang up their spikes and call it a career. It usually occurs at the end of a season after it has been announced the player is leaving the game and after league standings have been decided....
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Sep 10, 2016
Countryside games add challenges, concerns for NPB teams
Japan's schedule of countryside games (those played away from the home franchise stadiums of the 12 Central and Pacific League teams) has concluded for the season. The last scheduled game, where the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters were to have played the Chiba Lotte Marines on Tuesday at Asahikawa was rained...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 30, 2016
Former BayStars infielder Gurriel gets opportunity to pursue dream with Astros
Good luck to the Houston Astros on acquiring Cuban star player Yulieski Gurriel. The American League club signed the 32-year-old infielder earlier this month and, after obtaining a U.S. work visa and playing some tune-up games for a team in the Astros' minor league system, he was expected to suit up...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 23, 2016
Long-lost basketball card sparks memories of Ichiro's early fame
Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is about to reach the 3,000-hit mark in Major League Baseball. The 42-year-old Japanese icon is expected to conquer the milestone this week during Miami's 10-game homestand.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 9, 2016
A primer on evolution of pro sports' All-Star events
Next week, Japan professional baseball will play its annual two-game All-Star series with contests scheduled at Fukuoka Yafuoku Dome on July 15, and Yokohama Stadium on July 16. The All-Star games are like a festival in Japan, and the series will most likely draw capacity crowds, but has the idea of...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 25, 2016
Okinawa base trouble puts dark cloud over upcoming Buffaloes-Eagles series
This week, the annual two-game series where a couple of Japanese pro ballclubs travel to play at Naha's Okinawa Cellular Stadium will take place. The Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are scheduled to play there Tuesday and Wednesday. Normally, U.S. military personnel stationed...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 11, 2016
Fighters could start trend with building of own stadium
The recent story about the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters considering the building of their own stadium on Japan's northernmost main island and move out of Sapporo Dome got me to thinking about the status of the other currently used ballparks in Japan.
Taiwan stuns Samurai Japan to capture Premier12 title
Japan starter Shosei Togo reacts after allowing a three-run home run against Taiwan in the fifth inning of the Premier12 final on Sunday.
Woman dies after train collides with car in Tochigi
A Moka Railway train car
Japan beats Taiwan ahead of rematch in Premier12 final
Keita Sano celebrates with his teammates after scoring on Kotaro Kiyomiya's two-run triple against Taiwan during their Premier12 game at Tokyo Dome on Saturday.
Tokyo’s newest three-star chef wants ‘harmony across every detail’
British-born Daniel Calvert earned his third Michelin star last month — a stunning achievement considering his restaurant, Sezanne, has only been open for just over three years.
'Kohaku' still matters for J-pop bragging rights
Emerging Gen Z J-pop group ME:I will perform on this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen," national broadcaster NHK’s New Year's Eve spectacle.
An iconic 32-foot doughnut might give Randy’s an edge in Japan
Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, California. Replicas of the giant doughnut sculpture will be installed, where possible, at shops in Japan.
Tokyo’s newest three-star chef wants ‘harmony across every detail’
British-born Daniel Calvert earned his third Michelin star last month — a stunning achievement considering his restaurant, Sezanne, has only been open for just over three years.
133-year-old Kyushu railway station remains to be partially preserved
The remains of the original Moji Station in Kitakyushu
After Shohei Ohtani bump, Iwate ironware maker sees brighter future
Kaito Kikuchi's decision to send superstar Shohei Ohtani one of his company's traditional ironware tea kettles has paid off with a surge of interest from general consumers.
Shohei Ohtani wins National League MVP award
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Padres during the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last month.

Podcast

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By Greg Dvorak

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