Yomiuri Giants
Founded Dec. 26, 1934
Home: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
2009 Slogan: SHOW THE SPIRIT
Japanese baseball's oldest and most successful franchise, the Kyojin (Giants) are currently celebrating their 75th anniversary as Japan's first professional team. Historically the Giants are Japanese baseball royalty, owning 41 league titles and 20 Japan Series titles. Often referred to as "Japan's team" or the Japanese version of the New York Yankees, the Giants won nine consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973, with the game's two most popular players of all-time, Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh each in his prime.
As expected the Kyojin have also had a who's who list of managers including Nagashima, Oh and current skipper Hara, who led Japan to a win in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Hara's 2009 Giants have won the last two Central League pennants and, at the midway point of the this season, look primed for a third straight triumph.
As always, the Giants have stars at nearly every position starting with catcher Shinnosuke Abe and young superstar shortstop Hayato Sakamoto.The talent doesn't stop there on a roster that also includes reigning CL MVP Ramirez and 2007 winner Michihiro Ogasawara, who was also the 2006 Pacific League MVP.- byhttp://www.japanvisitor.com
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