In Japan, the 12-team Central League is made up of two divisions and teams play only within their division;
That should be:
In Japan, the 12-team Nippon Professional Baseball league is made up of two leagues, the Central and Pacific, that don't play each other.
Don't these guys have an editor? Oh, the editor probably doesn't have a clue, either.
I didn't think it was possible for the North American press to do worse than Nomo's and Ichiro's first years, but I'm starting to have my doubts.
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
A short paragraph by staff writer, Chaz Scoggins, in lowellsun.com shows little respect to the power game in Japan:
Hey wait a minute! 50 homers doesn't mean much? I'd consider any prospect who hit 50 homers in Double A Southern League. But hey, when it comes to anything Yankee, what can we expect from a Massachusetts sports column.
Matsui has averaged 39.9 homers per season in his last 7 seasons in Japan. I'm banking on Godzilla to hit at least 25 in his first full MLB season. I might even run through times square naked if he doesn't. But I won't apologize if I don't.