1985 Hanshin Tigers Central League Pennant Winners

The Tigers were extremely successful in the early years, winning championships in 1936-38, 1944 and 1947, and compiling a 730-472 franchise record by 1950 (when the two-league system was introduced). Since then they have won the Central League pennant five times - in 1962, 1964, 1985, 2003 and 2005.

The year 1985 is still fondly remembered by all Hanshin fans. Not only did the club win the Japan Series for the first (and so far only) time, but their first baseman Randy Bass won the Triple Crown award AND the Japan Series MVP award as well - in the process elevating himself to God-like status in the Kansai region.

As stated above 1985 was the only Japan Series Championship season for the Hanshin Tigers to date. This is a highlight film of their trek to the Central League Pennant.

TomC

Lester Shines, Crisp Walks Off!

(Lester Had His Best Start To Date.)(Lowell's Ninth Inning Bomb Ties The Game!)(Crisp Drives In 'Tek For The WalkOff Win!)

Jon Lester made a triumphant return to Fenway, pitching 7 masterful innings in a no decision, and the Sox use a little dramatics to finish with the win. In his best start of his brief Major League season, Lester produced the following line:

7IP 2H 1 ER 1BB 4K

Unfortunately the Devil Ray's Scott Kazmir and two relievers held the Red Sox down for 8 1/3 innings, so he could not get the win. thankfully, with one out in the 9th Mike Lowell blasted an Al reyes pitch over the Green Monster two tie the game at one, followed by a two out ground rule double by Jason Varitek that set up Coco Crisp's walk off, game winning single. This is exactly the kind of win a team that looked lethargic on occasion need3ed to reinvigorate itself! Tomorrow the Sox go for the sweep agains the Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine, while the Sox counter with thirteen game winner Daisuke Matsuzaka.

(from FanGraphs)

GO SOX!

TomC

PS:

Hanshin Tigers 5, Chunichi Dragons 1

At Kobe's Kyocera Dome, Lin Wei-zhu had a tiebreaking two-run triple in the eighth inning and Kodai Sakurai followed with a two-run blast for insurance as Hanshin rallied past Chunichi.