Even after Masahiro Tanaka began playing for the New York Yankees, it wasn’t uncommon to see him working out with a few of his former Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles teammates — some of whom would don Yankees hats — in Sendai during the offseason. Tanaka spent seven seasons with New […]
Masahiro Tanaka says timing was right for return to Japan with Eagles
The timing was right for Masahiro Tanaka. In 2013, he led the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to a Japan Series title that was about more than baseball to a region still reeling two years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and ensuing tsunami that hit in March 2011. With the […]
Former Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka returning to Japan with Eagles
Masahiro Tanaka is coming home. The right-hander, who in 2013 led the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to their only Pacific League pennant and Japan Series title, is returning to the club this season. “Welcome home our hero!” the team announced on its website, with a photo of the pitcher from […]
Giants to set up coronavirus testing center in Okinawa
The Yomiuri Giants will set up a coronavirus testing clinic for pro baseball and J. League soccer teams holding preseason camps in Okinawa Prefecture, the Central League club said Wednesday. The center, intended to avoid burdening local medical facilities, will be open in the prefectural capital of Naha from Friday […]
No one elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in U.S.
New York – Curt Schilling was shut out on Tuesday, falling 16 votes shy of induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The former pitcher received 285 votes and was named on 71.1% of the ballots. He needed 75% […]
Cactus League asks MLB to delay spring training amid virus surge
The Cactus League and affiliated communities sent a letter to Major League Baseball asking for a delayed start to spring training as the coronavirus pandemic continues to overwhelm Arizona. The league released the letter on Monday. It was dated Friday and signed by officials from eight cities and the Salt […]
Baseball legend Hank Aaron dies at 86
New York – Baseball legend Henry “Hank” Aaron, whose Hall of Fame playing career helped break racial barriers in U.S. sports and culture, died on Friday, according to the Atlanta Braves, his former team, and media reports. He was 86. The Braves said in a statement that Aaron died peacefully […]
NPB lays out plans for 2021 season
Nippon Professional Baseball is looking to get back to a normal 143-game season — after which both the Central and Pacific Leagues will stage their Climax Series — this year even with COVID-19 continuing to hang over society. NPB confirmed its plans during a meeting with all 12 teams on […]
MLB to investigate ex-Mets GM Jared Porter over inappropriate texts
New York – Major League Baseball plans to investigate former New York Mets general manager Jared Porter for sending unsolicited, inappropriate text messages to a female reporter, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Tuesday. Mets owner Steven Cohen said earlier in the day that he fired […]
With an eye toward Japan, fans call on MLB to protect crowds from dangerous foul balls
Alexis Hoskey was 4 years old when a baseball fractured her skull. It was a night like any other under the lights at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, one of MLB’s most beautiful settings, in April 2011. Alexis’ father, Monte, had gotten tickets through work and the family decided […]