The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks clinched first place in the Pacific League with a 7-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome on Thursday.
Former Mitsui & Co. president Masami Iijima is expected to succeed Sadayuki Sakakibara as NPB commissioner when Sakakibara’s term ends in November.
Hanshin Tigers third baseman Teruaki Sato hit two home runs on Thursday night against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, bolstering his lead in all three Central League Triple Crown categories.
Sixty-two years ago, Masanori Murakami stepped onto a Major League mound and opened a door for generations of Japanese baseball stars.
Four players have been elected to the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame's 13th induction class, and will be honored in Puerto Rico in December.
Yokohama High School right-hander Shoki Oda entered the summer as one of the top high school prospects in Japan and further raised his stock with a strong showing at the renowned Summer Koshien this month.
