The Yomiuri Giants are off to a great start in the 2006 Central League pennant race, winning 11 of their first 13 games (with one tie) and taking the early lead in the CL standings.

In fact, it's the best start the club has had in 37 years, dating back to the "V-9" era in the late-1960s when the Kyojin won the pennant and Japan Series every year between 1965 and 1973.

Returning manager Tatsunori Hara has pushed all the right buttons so far, and most impressive have been second baseman Makoto Kosaka, Korean first sacker Lee Seung Yeop, outfielder Kenji Yano, American starting pitcher Jeremy "J.P." Powell and veteran closer Kiyoshi Toyoda.