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Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 7, 2021

At long last, Japan wins gold in Olympic baseball

A nation that has produced superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish and where baseball is one of the national pastimes finally has its Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jul 3, 2020

Former baseball prospect Tsuyoshi Akuzawa takes over Crane Thunders

The Gunma Prefecture native has been tapped to run the B. League second-division side, four decades after he became a local legend for his Koshien heroics.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani speaks to members of the media in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB / Sac Bunts
Mar 4, 2024

How Shohei Ohtani mastered the media

By promising to meet with the press, the star circumvented the need for people to go digging into his marriage.
Buffaloes pitcher Shunpeita Yamashita will be one of the hurlers trying to fill the void left by the departure of ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 28, 2024

Pacific League pennant set to be tight race as Buffaloes chase dynasty in 2024

The Buffaloes path to a fourth straight title is fraught with peril as the Hawks gather their forces for a renewed push for the PL crown.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani before playing against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 4, 2024

Ohtani blasts first homer for Dodgers in Giants sweep

"I've just been working on making sure I can swing the way I want to without rushing things," Ohtani said.
Andrew Chafin of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on March 14.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 7, 2024

As more uniform flaws appear, Nike seeks solutions

Andrew Chafin has worn almost every shade and style across 11 seasons in the major leagues. The lefty has pitched in Chicago Cubbie pinstripes and the Kelly green of the Oakland A’s. He has covered his curls with the Detroit Tigers’ D, a timeless classic, and the Milwaukee Brewers’ ball-in-glove,...
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a home run in the first inning against the Padres to equal Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 13, 2024

Ohtani matches Hideki Matsui's homer mark and collects 1,000th professional hit

Ohtani moved into a tie with Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB with his 175th long ball.
Ippei Mizuhara interprets for Shohei Ohtani during the baseball star's introductory news conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 14.
BASEBALL
May 10, 2024

Gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter being turned into TV series

The shocking gambling scandal surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, which made headlines across the world earlier this year, is already heading to television.
Atlanta Braves second baseman David Fletcher throws for a double play against the Miami Marlins in Cumberland, Georgia, on April 23.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 21, 2024

MLB investigates ex-Angels infielder David Fletcher over gambling claims

Fletcher reportedly wagered through Matthew Bowyer, the same bookmaker who took bets from Ippei Mizuhara.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s ERA in nine starts since returning from Seoul is 2.38.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 23, 2024

Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto finds rhythm on mound after early stumble

Yamamoto has impressed even the organization that went out and committed $375 million (including posting fees) to add him to its roster this winter.
National League designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a three-run homer in the third inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jul 17, 2024

Ohtani launches three-run homer as NL loses All-Star Game

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran delivered a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the American League to a 5-3 victory over the NL.
Tigers players, including Ukyo Maegawa (center), celebrate their win over the Giants at Koshien Stadium on Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 2, 2024

Tigers celebrate Koshien's 100th with victory over rival Giants

"Everyone understood the importance of this three-game series," manager Akinobu Okada said. "It's great to win in such a memorable way on this special day."
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being doused with water after his walk-off grand slam against the Rays at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB / Sac Bunts
Aug 26, 2024

New 40-40 club member Shohei Ohtani has real shot at unprecedented 50-50 campaign

Ohtani has a chance to make even more history after reaching the 40-40 club.
Some fans lined up for over seven hours for a chance to get a Shohei Ohtani bobblehead at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 29, 2024

Fans line up hours before Dodgers game to get Shohei Ohtani bobblehead

Fans began arriving around noon for the night game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Shohei Ohtani walks through the dugout with his dog Decoy before the Dodgers' game against the Orioles at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 29, 2024

Shohei Ohtani signs exclusive trading card deal with Topps

Ohtani has had a nonexclusive relationship with Topps since 2018.
Swallows star Norichika Aoki announced his plan to retire on Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Sep 13, 2024

Swallows great Norichika Aoki to retire

Veteran Tokyo Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki, one of the best hitters Japan has ever seen, plans to retire at the end of this season, he announced on Friday.
Phillies players celebrate after a win over the Marlins in Miami earlier this month.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 18, 2024

DraftKings sued by MLB Players Union for using names and images

Revenue has expanded at DraftKings as it attracted more loyal bettors, even as it faced increased competition from online peers and legacy casinos.
Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season on Sept. 19.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 27, 2024

Shohei Ohtani 50-50 ball heads to auction despite ownership dispute

A Florida man has filed a lawsuit claiming the souvenir was wrested from him by another who is now selling it via an auction house.
Mets second baseman Eddy Alvarez (left), first baseman Peter Alonso (center) and shortstop Francisco Lindor celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta on Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 1, 2024

Braves and Mets split double-header to seal wild-card berths

The Mets booked a clash against the Milwaukee Brewers after winning a thrilling opening game at Atlanta's Truist Park 8-7.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season, against the Marlins in Miami on Sept. 19.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 8, 2024

Auction of Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 ball goes on despite ownership battle

With another two weeks to go in the auction, the latest top bid was $1.5 million.
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five scoreless frames against the Padres in Game 5 of their division series.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 13, 2024

Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto finds redemption with series-clinching performance

Yamamoto permitted only two hits across five innings while pacifying the relentless Padres lineup in a 2-0 Game 5 victory.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first after hitting a single in the first inning against the Mets during Game 6 of the NLCS in the MLB playoffs in Los Angeles on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB / Sac Bunts
Oct 22, 2024

Shohei Ohtani closer than ever on World Series mission

The star stands four wins away from capping off a storybook first season with the Dodgers by achieving his dream of winning the World Series.
BayStars slugger Tyler Austin hit two homers against the Giants during the final stage of the Central League Climax Series.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 26, 2024

BayStars aim to complete Cinderella run against Hawks in the Japan Series

To say the Yokohama DeNA BayStars are underdogs against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in the Japan Series would be putting it mildly, but titles are not decided on paper.
Roki Sasaki waves to fans after the Marines' final home game of the 2024 season.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Nov 11, 2024

Posting ace Roki Sasaki will leave Marines in awkward position

The Marines ace is expected to move to an MLB organization this winter.
Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani during game four of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs against the Mets in New York on Oct. 17
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 12, 2024

Ohtani nominated for MVP after historic campaign

Ohtani is bidding for back-to-back MVP honors after winning the award last season with the Los Angeles Angels.
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal celebrates after closing out an inning during Detroit's playoff series with Cleveland last month.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 21, 2024

Braves' Chris Sale and Tigers' Tarik Skubal collect Cy Young honors

Both left-handers won the pitching Triple Crown and were the clear favorites in Cy Young Award voting.
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.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 22, 2024

Shohei Ohtani wins National League MVP award

Ohtani won an MVP award for the third time in four seasons.
U.S. pitcher Spencer Patton throws during the sixth inning of Team USA's loss to Samurai Japan on Thursday at Tokyo Dome.
BASEBALL
Nov 22, 2024

U.S. pitcher Spencer Patton gets warm reception as he returns to Japan for Premier12

Patton pitched pitched for the Yokohama BayStars from 2017 to 2020, making 219 appearances for the club overall. Now he's back in Japan and competing for Team USA.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat