Picking a Team

The best thing you could do is to read as much as you can from websites such as this, magazine articles, books, and newpapers. Watch any videos or shows that feature Japanese baseball. Come up with your own choices - it will be more rewarding. You will never find "equivalents" because, like Hideki Matsui says, comparing Japanese baseball to MLB is like comparing "apples and oranges."

When I first started following Japanese baseball there were no websites and very scarce info in print. You will find your favorite players and teams.

Nice topic, as I was kinda wondering what Japanese team would be a fair equivalent/representation/similarity to my Dodgers. Any word on that would be interesting.

I like Shunsuke Watanabe, so I kind of like the Marines.

I like Hanshin because they have wild fans and an interesting field.

But I live in Chicago so I can't watch any of them; but I get plenty of the White Sox and Cubs. :S

If you're a Mets fan (like I am) than follow the Swallows or the Marines. The Swallows have the most in common with the Mets; i.e. both are second fiddle to their cities against the all powerful teams of Yankess/Giants.

If you're into the Pacific League then the Marines are the team to root for. They're young, have pitching, and have some old Mets players to boot.

I agree that the Yakult Swallows are probably the closet thing to the Mets because they share Tokyo with the Yankee-like Yomiuri Giants. The Swallows had some success in the 1980s and '90s. Furuta is now their player-manager.

The Seibu Lions, located north of Tokyo in Saitama, was a powerhouse in the late 1980s through the mid-90s.

Dodger fans might like the Chunichi Dragons because of their similar uniforms.

The most fanatical fans are the Hanshin Tigers - wild party animals.

In recent years the Fukuoka (Daiei/Softbank) Hawks have been the most successful team - they also have a great regional following.

Basically, before you pick a team to root for - get to know teams and players - you will discover for yourself who you want to root for. Each of the 12 teams are unique from each other and different than anything in MLB.

If you want to root for a true underdog, root for the Nippon Ham Fighters. They are the most anonymous team in Japan and have an American manager who is starting to see a little developmental success that will hopefully begin translating into some wins.

I'm personally a Yakult fan because when I was initially turned on to Japanese baseball by a Japanese friend of mine she was a Swallows fan. Plus Jingu is an outdoor park and I hate domes. So it just seemed natural.

If you are kind of a Baseball America kind of guy who likes to look at what teams do developmentally, Hanshin has been doing great things since Senichi Hoshino became involved, and that manager Akinobu Okada has now found his managerial identity. He is much closer to an MLB-type skipper than some of the other Japanese managers. He hates the sac bunt and tells his players, "go hit a double play ball" as a way to get them to go up there aggressive.

I have always admired Seibu's scouting. They are in transition right now since owner Yoshiaki Tsutsumi has been deposed and there are intermittent rumors that they will be sold.

Valentine's team, Lotte, is tremendously interesting, too. They are also doing some behind the scenes type stuff to try to get NPB to join the 21st century in its marketing. Their fans are widely considered to be like the St. Louis fans, good folks who love their team and know baseball.

The Hiroshima Carp are kind of in the position like that of Cleveland was before they moved into Jacobs Field. Old ballpark past its prime, team not willing to spend money, and fans who love the team but who are fed up with losing. Plus they can't catch the ball and their offensive core, Ogata and Maeda, are just tryng to put off retirement as long as possible. They have an American manager now in Marty Brown, who worked in the Indians' organization, and will have a new ballpark in 2009. Hiroshima has had an interesting history with ex-Cleveland guys. Joe Lutz was their manager initially before he resigned the year the Carp went to their first Japan Series. Like Cleveland did, they needed to rebuild their pitching and restock the farm.

The Giants: evil empire. 'Nuff said.

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks: This is a classy organization. They used to be a perennial doormat but have built themselves through deft draft picks and pretty fair player development. They have a bunch of kids down on the farm I really like (Ryuma Kidokoro comes to mind) and it will be interesting to see how they are brought along in the next couple of seasons. They are also doing a lot of stuff with the Internet since the team's onwer was also involved with Yahoo! Japan. Oh has impressed me with his patience with Matsuda and I think that will eventually pay some dividends, even if he still has some defensive rough edges. They are kinda like the Twins in some ways, except with a better ballpark.

Orix is overall pretty thin on talent. You have two major stars in Norihiro Nakamura and Kazuhiro Kiyohara trying to hold on, and the rest of their roster is, for the most part, pretty dubious. They can't catch the ball, either. They could end up becoming Japan's Kansas City Royals unless Serafini begins to step up to the plate and Yoshihisa Hirano, Tom Davey, and Hidetaka Kawagoe can consistently go deep into ballgames.

The Chunichi Dragons don't appeal to this Dodgers fan at all. They are so faceless. Hiromitsu Ochiai is a brilliant manager and has gotten more out of those players than anyone could rightfully expect, but they have all the magnetism of a wet towel.

Michael would be able to tell you about Yokohama. They are at least two bullpen pieces and one or two starters short of being a serious contender. They had some bad luck with first round draftees Daisuke Mori and Takumi Nasuno, who haven't panned out yet due to injury. They also need to find a viable replacement for aging shortstop Takuro Ishii and Hitoshi Taneda's time isn't that far off, either.

I might also recommend that you consider one other thing when selecting a team - availability of video on the Internet. Following a team is much more fun if you can see them play. I've got a great situation as a Giants fan - they put a 2-3 minute highlights package up after almost every home game, so I get to see my Giants as well as the plays made by their Central League opponents.

The Eagles probably have the best coverage, but they are a terrible team, at least right now. The Hawks are a good team, and you can see their games on the Net, but only live, so the time difference is pretty killer. You can see highlights, but only of the good plays made by the Hawks, which is a bit cheesy if you ask me.

When I was choosing a team, the Giants just came to me - I like the CL better than the PL (hate DH), I like tradition, I like their uniforms (especially their caps), quickly came to like a few of their core players (Takahashi, Abe, Uehara, and Kokubo, especially), their park reminds me of the Metrodome, where I went to many games while I was in college, and the highlight reels were perfect. Yes they have tons of money and all of that, but you still have to go out and win, and last year shows it's no given.

- Michael would be able to tell you about Yokohama. They are at least two bullpen pieces and one or two starters short of being a serious contender. They had some bad luck with first round draftees Daisuke Mori and Takumi Nasuno, who haven't panned out yet due to injury. They also need to find a viable replacement for aging shortstop Takuro Ishii and Hitoshi Taneda's time isn't that far off, either.

That pretty much sums it up. Even their ace Miura got pelted by the Tigers last night. They surprised everyone by finishing third last season (myself included), but it looks like they're in a serious fight with the Carp for last place this year.

Starters Saeki (first base), Taneda (second base), and Takuro Ishii (shortstop) are all starting to show signs of age, batting .200, .269, and .209 respectively. This wouldn't be so bad if Ishii weren't the leadoff batter and Saeki cleanup (#4). It's a wonder they can get anything going. Only Hiroshima's .239 batting average is worse than Yokohama's .252 (which is still in the ballpark with Yakult's .254 and Chunichi's .255).

But pitching has been and continues to be the main problem for Yokohama. They have the worst ERA of the 12 teams, 6.19, as of now, more than a run per nine innings worse than Rakuten's 4.94. While Yokohama leads both leagues with 27 home runs hit (thanks to 3 solo shots last night), I'm pretty sure that they've given up at least that many (only one 3-run shot last night). The BayStars' relief corp has seriously suffered from 一発病 (ippatsu byou - Home Run Illness) for a number of years, and there doesn't seem to be a cure for them in sight.

When the BayStars won the Pennant and Nippon Series in 1998, it was their first post season since 1960 (then as the Taiyo Whales). By all accounts, it'll probably be another 38 years before their next Pennant.

Is that underdog enough for you?

On the plus side, they've worked hard at creating a local identity, Taiyo dropping their corporate name from the team name in 1993 (before selling the team to TBS several years later with the stipulation that the team name not be changed).

Thanks for the team by team breakdown. As A St. Louis fan I have wondered if there was a team in Japan that were similar to the Cardinals. I have rooted for the Dragons for the last several years because they seemed like a close fit. I will start to follow the Marines with your recommendation. If the Dragons don't compare to the Dodgers or the Cardinals, is there another MLB team you might compare them to?

OOOOHHHH what a fun thread this is going to be!

My suggestion would be to pick up "The Meaning of Ichiro" by Robert Whiting. As it may not help you to pick a team (I found it to be written with quite a bias against the Giants and in favor of Bobby Valentine), it will help you to understand a good amount of history and the tradition that is involved in Pro Yakyu. Westbay-san also did an interview with a student in the interview forum, I'd say that is also a good must-read.

As for the teams, ORIX is doing quite well so far this year, but we'll see if they can hold up. I agree with the comment on the DH rule, but I guess that I have to go with the underdog Pacific League, if for no other reason than that they are the underdogs.

Hanshin fans are definitely the craziest, but I still say that my Marines fans can give them a run for their money pound for pound.

Hawks fans are really good as well, and if you can ever make it to Japan, Fukuoka Yahoo Dome is definitely a must-go-to. I just wish they would open the dome on sunny days.

And even though he has played on both of the teams which I consider to be the source of all evil in the baseball world, I have to say that I agree with Mr. Matsui about the "apples and oranges." I even tend to go one step further and use the term 'yakyu' when talking about Japanese baseball, and 'baseball' when speaking of the Western version.

OK, Richard, those are my two cents. Do with them what you will.

Richard,

Through the help of links provided by friends here at the forum I have been able to watch almost every Eagles home game. They clearly are not a good team, but they do get some decent pitching once in a while and have played a few good games. I have learned to recognize some of the players and their limitations and strengths.

Unlike the Hawks, who also have games available on the Net, the Eagle games are available for viewing for several days after they are played. Even if you don't want to root for the Eagles, this is a great way to watch and learn about Japanese baseball.

Roger.

Maybe someone can help me choose a team. Here is my situation.

I live in Montreal (Canada) and lost the Expos 2 years ago. Ever since I just can't watch MLB games the way I did. (I just flat out hate the MLB because of the way they handled the Expos's situation since the strike in '94).

So last year I began following NPB (watching games on the Internet and reading as much as possible here). I just haven't picked my new team yet. Here are my main criterias:

• A small market team
• Not a dominating team
• A self-reliable team (exemple: not having Americans involved)

I know things have been written about each team, but I'd like to have your opinion on it.

Thanks.
(Never thought I'd miss the Expos like that.)

Hello all,

First off, because I havent been replying, I don't want anyone to think that I have abandoned this thread! Although I have not made a decision yet, I come posting an update based on the suggestions of this thread. One big thing I didn't realize was that there was a difference between the CL and the PL when it comes to DH. Let me say that I also hate the DH, I love small ball, and the strategy that comes along with batting a pitcher. I hate the American style of "swing for the fences" managing that is in the MLB, especially the American League.

So that narrows me down to the Central League. Excluding the Giants (I don't like rooting for a team that is too easy to be a fan of). So that narrows me down to:

• Chunichi Dragons
• Hanshin Tigers
• Tokyo Yakult Swallows
• Yokohama BayStars
• Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Although I would prefer to stay in the CL (no DH), I am still very open to the PL, if anyone wants to suggest a team that fits me.

I appologize, but I have a few more questions. I have been thinking this over, and although I could read updates on Borisov's website, the idea of watching the games has gained more importance on me. Do any of the teams above have online broadcasts available to the U.S.? Also, I live in the Eastern time zone (correct me if I'm wrong, Japan is 11 hours ahead), and I was wondering what time games would start with the time diffence?

Thanks again,
Richard

- [...] the idea of watching the games has gained more importance on me. Do any of the teams above have online broadcasts available to the U.S.?

None of those teams have online broadcasts except the Hanshin Tigers, and their broadcasts cost 4,500 yen ($40).

I would choose the Hanshin Tigers. Hanshin is Japan's most popular team, even bigger than the Giants popularity wise, and their matchup with the Yomiuri Giants matches that of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

My favorite NPB team is the Softbank Hawks, though they're in the Pacific League. Softbank is getting back to a "small-ball" type of offense this year, after the departures of Johjima and Batista last year. They're also managed by the world home all-time home run leader, Sadahuru Oh. Also, Softbank is one of the teams with really good Internet coverage, probably the best right now, as the Rakuten TV! coverage sometimes suffers from lag due to the high number of connections to the broadcasts.

As for times of games and broadcasts, I suggest you visit Japan Baseball Daily and/or Borisov's Pro Yakyu 2006 daily.

Furthermore, the Chiba Lotte Marines, the current NPB champs, are also showing their games on-line this year. As of now, however, there is the fact that the games might not be available for watching outside of Japan, as Internet provider USEN is keeping it Japan-exclusive. The Marines are working quickly to try and change this fact, and even have created an English PowerPoint presentation for non-Japanese citizens to signup for the free broadcasts. The Marines are also a team with a "small-ball" type of play, and are managed as wildly known by many, by former MLB manager Bobby Valentine.

So out of all those teams there, I probably would suggest you choose between Hanshin, Softbank, and Chiba Lotte.

- None of those teams have on-line broadcasts except the Hanshin Tigers, and their broadcasts cost 4,500 yen ($40).

Just to clarify, that's $40 for the entire home schedule, not including Giants games. You can get single home games for around $4 a pop I believe.

Picking a team was easy for me. Being a life-long Detroit Tigers fan I naturally gravitated to Hanshin. The fact that Cecil Fielder played for them only solidified the deal.

I'm biased, of course, but I think you totally want to follow the Fighters. They're a small-market team, are the only team on the northern island of Hokkaido (much like Montreal is the biggest city in Quebec, Sapporo is the biggest city in Hokkaido), are definitely not a dominating team - though, they could be a sleeper candidate for taking the Pacific League by storm this year. The Fighters last won a Japan Series in 1962 when they were still the Toei Flyers, and last made it into the Series in 1981 (the same year the Expos won the NL East!), when they were stomped by the Giants. They don't really have a lot of big-name stars on their team - Shinjo is currently sort of like the "face" of the Fighters, and Michihiro Ogasawara is the star hitter, but they're not a team you'll hear tons of people talking about over in North America, especially not in terms of "who's coming to MLB soon? Who, who, who?"

Also, the only baseball geek from Montreal I know out here has a Fighters jersey. Obviously, it's karma.

Thanks Deanna,

You make a pretty good case for the Fighters.

Do the Fighters still have a partnership agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks [Japan Ball]?

Yes the Fighters do have an arrangement and have a Diamondbacks Day. This means free tickets for readers of the Japan Times once a year. Having taken advantage of this I would say the Fighters are not a team you want to support - they have very little to offer.

In the Central League I would disregard Chunichi - as Gary Garland said, all the charisma of a wet blanket. Yokohama and Hiroshima are perenial bottom dwellers so this really leaves a choice between Tigers (Japan's premier regional team) and Yakult. If Yakult could get their act together they could be a very stylish team. Tigers are fun with legions of dedicated and crazy fans.

Internet broadcasting is mainly used in the Pacific League, though you can see clips of most of the teams in action on Japan Baseball Daily. All teams have real time (well relatively) scoreboards which allow you to follow the game over the Internet, and if you use the Tigers' web provider (I don't know if you can do this from the U.S.), you can watch Tigers games live over the Internet.

If you like rooting for the underdogs, then any team in the Pacific League is your best bet. As has been mentioned, it is somewhat similar to the American League due to the designated hitter, and is, in fact, seen as the "Junior Circuit" of Japanese ball. I'm also of the opinion that it is a more progressive league than their Central counterparts (for better or worse).