Baseball Live 2005 Pennant: Shinsei Lions

Preparing for the only anticipated spring PS2 baseball game, I've decided to start up a Pennant with fairly updated 2006 teams. I've updated a few batting stances, attire changes, and a ton of stats. What I haven't added are 2006 foreign players(let's face it, you can't predict what those guys are going to do), some additions like Kaz Ishii and Masao Kida, as well as 2006 rookies(most will be on the farm all year, anyway). Since I get tired from playing with the Marines ALL THE TIME, I've decided to start it up with the new look Seibu Lions. Here is the somewhat regular order that features a 704 homerun cleanup trio.

1. Tomoaki Satoh(CF) #10 - After missing most of 2005 due to injury and the development of other young players, Satoh inherited the number of newly retired Taisei Takagi. Takagi put up big numbers for only one season of his entire career, and Seibu is hoping history won't repeat with Satoh.

2. Shogo Akada(RF) #9 - Getting his big break in 2004 with a solid showing in power and foot speed, the switch-hitting Akada increased his at bats in 2005, but little else. His power batting went down significantly, but supplied a solid 20 stolen bases. If he increases his batting average a bit more, he could be a solid 30 base man and become an established regular.

3. Akira Etoh(DH) #33 - A one time superstar slugger with the Hiroshima Carp who saw his career go slowly down the drain with the Giants. He came over as compensation when the Giants signed free agent closer Kiyoshi Toyoda. Can he resurrect his career in the Pacific League as a regular? 51 homeruns to go until 400!

4. Alex Cabrera(1B) #42 - The Seibu mainstay and most expensive player in Japan is back after a "decent" season, by Cabrera standards. If he doesn't do better than last year, he may be on the hot seat.

5. Kazuhiro Wada(LF) #5 - Known as Ben-chan to fans, Wada failed to hit at least .300 with 30 homers for the fourth year in a row, but still won a Pacific League batting title with a .322 average. Wada, who was known for being Mr. .300 30 HRs, would like to show this year that his power isn't on the decline.

6. Hiroyuki Nakajima(SS) #3 - After a surprisingly great 2004 campaign and becoming the second coming of Kaz Matsui, the Matsui slump seemed to travel over the ocean and infect Nakajima. Nakajima had an amazing spring in 2005, but couldn't hit anything early in the season. After winning his regular spot back from rookie Kataoka, Nakajima still put up better offensive numbers than the majority of Japanese shortstops. His goal this year is to hit at least 20 homeruns with 20 stolen bases.

7. Takeya Nakamura(3B) #60 - Known as "Okawari-kun" for his cute chubby kid interviews and his pension for asking for seconds and thirds on rice. He came out of nowhere in the middle of the season and started hitting like Barry Bonds. Every other game was a multi-homer game at one point, and his slugging percentage was even better than Bonds. His defense isn't amazing, but some regular time at third could change that. Definitely a popular and appealing personality that Seibu desperately needs to help win back fans.

8. Toru Hosokawa(C) #47 - Hosokawa has shown the kind of power to become a 20 homerun hitter, but his batting average is mendoza line atrocious. He'll need to bat a respectable average in order to keep the regular catcher role from backup Kosuke Noda.

9. Yoshihito Ishii(2B) #32 - 2005 batting champ for almost the entire season, until a late season slump gave that title to Wada. Ishii is a great contact bat with average defense. If he makes too many mistakes in the field, he could lose the starting role and becoming a pinch hit specialist.

Starting rotation

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka #18 - Nothing needs to be said. He's a superstar and arguably the ace of Japan. His goal this year is to rack up 20 wins for the first time in his career, then get posted to join the majors.

2. Fumiya Nishiguchi #13 - 17 game winner last year. Signed for the biggest money he's ever had, and should have all the motivation in the world to try and become an equal ace with Matsuzaka.

3. Kazuyuki Hoashi #34 - He went 13-8 last year, but his ERA was 4.02. With big years from Matsuzaka and Nishiguchi, all Hoashi needs to do is try and get 13 wins again.

4. Chih-Chia Chang #99 - Didn't play in 2005, but has had very solid years as a starter in Seibu's rotation in the past. His goal this year is to get double digit victories.

5. Takashi Ishii #21 - 2004 Nihon Series MVP and owner of an 8.03 ERA in 2005. If he doesn't start off strong, he could lose out to one of the younger pitchers.

6. Junichi Kawahara #12 - An abysmal 2-11 record from last year should mean that he gets no chance, but Kawahara has the potential to eat innings. He's in the same predicament as Ishii, though.

Bullpen

Chikara Onodera #14 - The only bullpen man being mentioned is Onodera, since he is taking over as the team's closer. Onodera is the only pitcher Seibu has with enough velocity and movement to inherit the role of closer. If he doesn't do well, Kawahara is an option, as well as Ohnuma. Kawahara used to close with the Giants and Ohnuma has closer level velocity.