Saitama Seibu Lions
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For current information on this topic, see 2009 Saitama Seibu Lions season. |
| Saitama Seibu Lions | |
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| League | Pacific League |
|---|---|
| Location | Tokorozawa, Saitama |
| Ballpark | Seibu Dome |
| Year Founded | 1950 |
| Nickname(s) | Seibu (西武), Lions (ライオンズ), Leo (レオ), Shishi (獅子, which means lion) |
| League championships | 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008 |
| Japan Series championships | 1956, 1957, 1958, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2008 |
| Former name(s) | Nishitetsu Clippers (1950) Nishitetsu Lions (1951-1972) Taiheiyo Club Lions (1973–1976) Crown Lighter Lions (1977–1978) Seibu Lions (1979–2007) Saitama Seibu Lions (2008–) |
| Colors | Dark blue, white |
| Logo Design | A lion's paw clenched around a baseball. |
| Uniforms | |
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The Saitama Seibu Lions (埼玉西武ライオンズ Saitama Seibu Raionzu) are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League. As a company, it is a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, belonging to Seibu Group. Recently, the team had stood on shaky financial ground, until the Boston Red Sox signed Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Lions got a 6 billion Japanese yen (about USD 51.11 million) posting fee. Between 1978 to 2008, the team logo and mascot is based on the adult Kimba the White Lion, a famous classic anime series by Osamu Tezuka.[1][2]
In 2004, former Seibu Lions player Kazuo Matsui became the first Japanese infielder to play in Major League Baseball.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
[edit] Nishitetsu Clippers (1950)
In 1950, the team became a founding member of the Pacific League, and was owned by Nishi-Nippon Railroad based in Fukuoka. The team finished sixth that year, and at the end of the season the team was merged with the Nishi-Nippon Pirates to form the Nishitetsu Lions.
[edit] Nishitetsu Lions (1951-1972)
In 1951, the Nishi-Nippon Pirates and Nishitetsu Clippers merged to form the Nishitetsu Lions. They were one of the top Pacific League teams of the decade, winning four pennants and winning three straight Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants. Osamu Mihara managed the team throughout their 1950s success period. The team was not as successful in the following decade and in 1973 was sold and became the Taiheiyo Club Lions. The Nishitetsu Lions called Heiwadai Stadium home for their entire existence.
[edit] Taiheiyo Club Lions (1973-1976)
In November, 1972, the Nishitetsu Lions were bought by the Fukuoka Baseball Corporation from Nishi-Nippon Railroad. The company was founded by Nagayoshi Nakamura, owner of the Lotte and the Orions. The team's sponsorship rights were then sold to Taiheiyo Club, a golf course and resort developer, and the team was renamed. The team remained as the Taiheiyo Club Lions until after the 1976 season. Through the course of the 1970s, the Lions finished no higher than third.
[edit] Crown Lighter Lions (1977-1978)
At the end of the 1976 season, the Fukuoka Baseball Corporation announced that the team's new sponsor was Crown Gas Lighter. With this, the team's name for the upcoming season was changed to the Crown Lighter Lions. At the end of the 1978 season the team was sold to Kokudo Keikaku (later Kokudo, then merged into Prince Hotels), a Seibu Railway Group company.
[edit] Seibu Lions (1979-2007)
The Crown Lighter Lions were sold to Seibu Group in 1978, and since then have used the name Seibu Lions, and relocated to a new ballpark in Tokorozawa, Saitama.
[edit] The "Golden Age" of Seibu Lions (1982–1994)
Seibu Lions started their history in the last place in 1979. But with new manager Tatsuro Hirooka and star players such as Osamu Higashio and Koichi Tabuchi, they started their "Golden Age" with two-year straight Japan Series winning in 1982-1983 and 1985 league champion. In the years with next manager Masaaki Mori, Lions had neary dominated the Japanese professional baseball scene over ten years with devastating batters and pitchers. Lions had various type of batters – sluggers such as Kouji Akiyama, Kazuhiro Kiyohara and Orestes Destrade, skilled players such as Hiromichi Ishige, Hatsuhiko Tsuji, and smart catcher Tsutomu Ito. And they also had great pitchers – starting pitchers: "The Oriental Express" Taigen Kaku, Kimiyasu Kudo, Hisanobu Watanabe, bullpen pitchers: Yoshitaka Katori, Testuya Shiozaki. Mori won 8 league championship (1986-1988, 1990-1994) and six Japan Series championships (1986-1988, 1990-1992) in his nine-year managing career. Seibu Lions was called "Invincible Seibu" because of their accomplishments in those days.
[edit] Stars in their "Golden Age"
| Name | position | Title and accomplishment | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kouji Akiyama | CF | Home Run Title 1987, Stolen Base Title 1990, Golden Glove 1987-1996, 1999 437 HR and 303 SB in career |
Belonged to Daiei Hawks from 1994-2002. Current Hawks manager. |
| Kazuhiro Kiyohara | 1B | Rookie of the year 1986, Golden Glove (1988,1990, 1992-1994), 525 HR and 1527 RBIs in career |
Belonged to Yomiuri Giants from 1997-2005, Orix Buffaloes from 2006-2008. Retired in 2008. |
| Orestes Destrade | DH | Home Run Title 1990-1992, RBI Title 1990-1991 | Played 1993-1994 seasons with Florida Marlins of MLB. |
| Hiromichi Ishige | 3B | Rookie of the year, Golden Glove 1981-1983, 1985-1988, 1991-1993), MVP 1986 | Manager of Orix BlueWave for a short time in 2003. |
| Hatsuhiko Tsuji | 2B | Batting Title 1993, Golden Glove 1986, 1988-1994 | Played for Yakult Swallows in 1996, retired after '96 season. |
| Tsutomu Ito | C | Golden Glove 1985-1988, 1990-1992, 1994-1995, 1997-1998 | Retired in 2003, Lions manager from 2004-2007. |
| Hisanobu Watanabe | P | Winning Percentage Title 1986, 1988, 1990, ERA Title 1986, Strikeout Title 1986, Golden Glove 1990, No-hitter 1996 | Played for Yakult Swallows in 1998, retired from NPB after '98 season. Current manager of Lions. |
| Osamu Higashio | P | Wins Champion 1975,1983, ERA Title 1983, Strikeout Title 1975, MVP 1983, 1987, Golden Glove 1983-1987 | Member of Lions through four different team owners (Nishitetsu, Taiheyo Club, Crown Lighter, Seibu). |
| Taigen Kaku | P | MVP1991, Golden Grove 1991-1992, No-hitter 1985 | Retired in 1996. Taiwan national team manager 2007. |
| Kimiyasu Kudo | P | ERA Title 1985,1987,1993,1999, Winning Percentage Title1987,1991,1993,2000, Strikeout Title 1996,1999, Golden Glove 1994-1995,2000, MVP 1999, longest NPB career as player (28 years) | Belonged to Daiei Hawks from 1994, Yomiuri Giants from 2000, Yokohama BayStars from 2007-2009, returned to Lions in 2010. Only active player in "Golden Age" in 2010 season. |
[edit] Saitama Seibu Lions (2008-)
In order to reinforce relationship with their hometown, the Lions added their region (prefecture) name "Saitama" to their team name. They won the Pacific League Champion as well as the Japan Series in the same year. They changed their team logo, as well as uniform in the following season. They gave up their traditional light-blue colour scheme, but used a dark blue which similar to the Nishitetsu Lions' design.
[edit] Season-by-season records
| Year | Team Name | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Nishitetsu Clippers | 5th |
| 1951 | Nishitetsu Lions | 2nd |
| 1952 | Nishitetsu Lions | 3rd |
| 1953 | Nishitetsu Lions | 4th |
| 1954 | Nishitetsu Lions | 1st |
| 1955 | Nishitetsu Lions | 2nd |
| 1956 | Nishitetsu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1957 | Nishitetsu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1958 | Nishitetsu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1959 | Nishitetsu Lions | 4th |
| 1960 | Nishitetsu Lions | 3rd |
| 1961 | Nishitetsu Lions | 3rd |
| 1962 | Nishitetsu Lions | 3rd |
| 1963 | Nishitetsu Lions | 1st |
| 1964 | Nishitetsu Lions | 5th |
| 1965 | Nishitetsu Lions | 3rd |
| 1966 | Nishitetsu Lions | 2nd |
| 1967 | Nishitetsu Lions | 2nd |
| 1968 | Nishitetsu Lions | 5th |
| 1969 | Nishitetsu Lions | 5th |
| 1970 | Nishitetsu Lions | 6th |
| 1971 | Nishitetsu Lions | 6th |
| 1972 | Nishitetsu Lions | 6th |
| 1973 | Taiheiyo Club Lions | 4th |
| 1974 | Taiheiyo Club Lions | 4th |
| 1975 | Taiheiyo Club Lions | 3rd |
| 1976 | Taiheiyo Club Lions | 6th |
| 1977 | Crown Lighter Lions | 6th |
| 1978 | Crown Lighter Lions | 5th |
| 1979 | Seibu Lions | 6th |
| 1980 | Seibu Lions | 4th |
| 1981 | Seibu Lions | 4th |
| 1982 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1983 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1984 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 1985 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 1986 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1987 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1988 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1989 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 1990 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1991 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1992 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 1993 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 1994 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 1995 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 1996 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 1997 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 1998 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 1999 | Seibu Lions | 2nd |
| 2000 | Seibu Lions | 2nd |
| 2001 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 2002 | Seibu Lions | 1st |
| 2003 | Seibu Lions | 2nd |
| 2004 | Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 2005 | Seibu Lions | 3rd |
| 2006 | Seibu Lions | 2nd |
| 2007 | Seibu Lions | 5th |
| 2008 | Saitama Seibu Lions | 1st (Japan Series Winner) |
| 2009 | Saitama Seibu Lions | 4th |
[edit] Current roster(2008)
[edit] Pitcher
- 11
Takayuki Kishi (岸 孝之) - 12 Shinya Okamoto (岡本 真也)
- 13 Fumiya Nishiguchi (西口 文也)
- 14 Chikara Onodera (小野寺 力)
- 15 Kohji Onuma (大沼 幸二)
- 16 Kazuhisa Ishii (石井 一久)
- 17 Satoshi Yamazaki (山崎 敏)
- 18 Hideaki Wakui (涌井 秀章)
- 19 Masamitsu Hirano (平野 将光)
- 20 Jun Yamamoto (山本 淳)
- 23
Hsu Ming-Chieh (許 銘傑) - 24 Hironori Matsunaga (松永 浩典)
- 25 Eiji Shotsu (正津 英志)
- 26 Tomoki Hoshino (星野 智樹)
- 28 Ryohei Fujiwara (藤原 良平)
- 29 Koji Mitsui (三井 浩二)
- 30 Okamoto Atsushi (岡本 篤志)
- 34 Shuichiroh Osada (長田 秀一郎)
- 35 Tetsuya Iwasaki (岩崎 哲也)
- 36 Minoru Yamagishi (山岸 穣)
- 41 Fumikazu Kimura (木村 文和)
- 47 Hoashi Kazuyuki (帆足 和幸)
- 48 Shota Takekuma (武隈 祥太)
- 50 Yuhya Tazawa (田沢 由哉)
- 54
Alex Graman (A・グラマン) - CL - 57 Yasuhiro Tanaka (田中 靖洋)
- 59 Ayumu Yamamoto (山本 歩)
- 62
Zhu Dawei (朱 大卫) - 69 Shinji Taninaka (谷中 真二)
[edit] Catcher
- 2 Ginjiro (銀仁朗)
- 22 Kohsuke Noda (野田 浩輔)
- 27 Tohru Hosokawa (細川 亨)
- 31 Taichi Yoshimi (吉見 太一)
- 49 Tatsuyuki Uemoto (上本 達之)
- 64 Syota Nakata (中田 祥多)
[edit] Infielder
- 3 Hiroyuki Nakajima (中島 裕之)
- 5 Yoshihito Ishii (石井 義人)
- 6 Taketoshi Gotoh (後藤 武敏)
- 7 Yasuyuki Kataoka (片岡 易之)
- 8 Hiroshi Hirao (平尾 博嗣)
- 33 Akira Etoh (江藤 智)
- 43 Takuya Hara (原 拓也)
- 45 Keisuke Mizuta (水田 圭介)
- 52 Hidekazu Hoshi (星 秀和)
- 56 Haruki Kurose (黒瀬 春樹)
- 60 Takeya Nakamura (中村 剛也)
- 67 Naomichi Umeda (梅田 尚通)
[edit] Outfielder
- 0 Yuutaro Oosaki (大崎 雄太朗)
- 1 Takumi Kuriyama (栗山 巧)
- 4 Takayuki Shimizu (清水 隆行)
- 9 Shogo Akada (赤田 将吾)
- 10 Tomoaki Satoh (佐藤 友亮)
- 44 Hisashi Takayama (高山 久)
- 46 G.G.Satoh (G.G.佐藤)
- 51 Hiroyuki Ohshima (大島 裕行)
- 53 Taka Miura (三浦 貴)
- 55
Hiram Bocachica (H.ボカチカ) - 58 Kenta Matsusaka (松阪 健太)
- 65 Syogo Saitoh (斉藤 彰吾)
[edit] Coaches/Other
[edit] Manager
- 99 Hisanobu Watanabe (渡辺 久信)
[edit] Coaches
- 81 Hidetoshi Kuroe (黒江 透修) - Head(Bench)
- 80 Kazuyoshi Ono (小野 和義) - Pitching
- 86 Tetsuya Shiozaki (潮崎 哲也) - Pitching(Bullpen)
- 96 Hiromoto Ookubo (大久保 博元) - Hitting
- 78 Tohru Kumazawa (熊澤 とおる) - Assistant Hitting
- 82 Takanori Okamura (岡村 隆則) - Defending and Base-running(first base)
- 85 Masakazu Seike (清家 政和) - Defending and Base-running(third base)
- 88 Katsuya Souma (相馬 勝也) - Battery
- 72 Shinsaku Katahira (片平 晋作) - Farm Manager
- 77 Takehiro Ishii (石井 丈裕) - Farm Pitching
- 97 Takashi Ishii (石井 貴) - Farm Pitching
- 89 Hiroyuki Mori (森 博幸) - Farm Hitting
- 76 Norio Tanabe (田辺 徳雄) - Farm Defending and Base-running
- 70 Yuusuke Kawada (河田 雄祐) - Farm Defending and Base-running
- 91 Hisashi Ooi (大井 久士) - Farm Battery
- 98 Kouichi Ohsako (大迫 幸一) - Training
- 99 Shinobu Sakamoto (坂元 忍) - Farm Training
[edit] Managers
- Kaname Miyazaki(宮崎 要) 1950
- Osamu Mihara(三原脩) 1951-1959
- Tokuji Kawasaki(川崎 徳次) 1960-1961
- Futoshi Nakanishi(中西 太) 1962-1969
- Kazuhisa Inao(稲尾 和久) 1970-1974
- Shinichi Eto(江藤 愼一) 1975
- Leo Durocher(レオ・ドローチャー) 1976
- Masaichi Kito(鬼頭 政一) 1976-1977
- Rikuo Nemoto(根本 陸夫) 1978-1981
- Tatsuro Hirooka(広岡 達朗) 1982-1985
- Masahiko Mori(森 祇晶) 1986-1994
- Osamu Higashio(東尾 修) 1995-2001
- Haruki Ihara(伊原 春樹) 2002-2003
- Tsutomu Ito(伊東 勤) 2004-2007
- Hisanobu Watanabe (渡辺 久信) 2008-present
[edit] Former players of note
- Phil Paine 1953
- Terry Whitfield (テリー・ウィットフィールド) 1981-1983
- Koichi Tabuchi (田淵 幸一) 1979-1984
- Steve Ontiveros (スティーブ・オンティベロス) 1980-1985
- George Vukovich (ジョージ・ブコビッチ) 1986-1987
- Osamu Higashio (東尾 修) 1969-1988
- Ty Van Burkleo (タイラー・バン・バークレオ) 1987-1990
- Yoshiie Tachibana (立花 義家) 1977-1991
- Kouji Akiyama (秋山 幸二) 1981-1993
- Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典) 1981-1994
Orestes Destrade (オレステス・デストラーデ) 1989-1995- Kazuhiro Kiyohara (清原 和博)1986-1996
- Darrin Jackson (ダリン・ジャクソン)1995-1996
- Taigen Kaku (郭 泰源) 1985-1997
- James Byers(ጃመስ ብየርስ)1998-2000
Tony Fernández (トニー・フェルナンデス) 2000- Corey Paul (コーリー・ポール) 1999-2001
- Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央) 1994-2003
- Tetsuya Shiozaki (潮崎 哲也) 1990-2004
- Shinji Mori (森 慎二) 1997-2005
- Daisuke Matsuzaka (松坂 大輔) 1999-2006
- Chang Chih-Chia (張 誌家) 2002-2006
Alex Cabrera (A・カブレラ) 2001-2007
[edit] Honored numbers
- none
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Seibu Lions |
- (Japanese) Saitama Seibu Lions official web site
- High resolution photos and discussion of the Lions in English
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Fans, the team, and the press consider the mascot as the adult version of Kimba, but Osamu Tezuka had once told that it is designed from Caesar, the father of Kimba.[citation needed]
- ^ The Lions would adopt a new mascot in 2009 season.[citation needed]
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