2016 Japan Series

Last updated

2016 Japan Series
2016 Japan Series.png
Team (Wins) Manager(s) Season
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (4) Hideki Kuriyama 87–53–3 (.621), 2.5 GA
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (2) Koichi Ogata 89–52–2 (.631), 17.5 GA
DatesOctober 22–29
MVP Brandon Laird
FSA Brad Eldred
Broadcast
Television TBS (Games 1, 4)
Fuji TV (Game 2)
TV Asahi (Games 3, 5)
Nippon TV (Game 6)
←  2015 Japan Series 2017  →

The 2016 Japan Series was the 67th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's postseason championship series. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp, champions of the Central League, played the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, champions of the Pacific League, [1] [2] in a best-of-seven series beginning on October 22. The Japan Series was sponsored by the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and was officially known as the SMBC Nippon Series 2016.

Contents

The Fighters defeated the Carp in six games. Hiroshima took the first two games, and Hokkaido won the next four games to take the series. Hokkaido's Brandon Laird won the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award, and Hiroshima's Brad Eldred won the Fighting Spirit Award, given to the best player on the losing team; it was the first time two foreign players won both awards. Anthony Bass, Sho Nakata, and Haruki Nishikawa won outstanding player honors.

Climax Series

First StageFinal Stage Japan Series
Central League
1 Hiroshima Toyo Carp 4
2 Yomiuri Giants 13Yokohama DeNA BayStars1
3 Yokohama DeNA BayStars 2CL1Hiroshima Toyo Carp2
PL1Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters4
Pacific League
1 Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters 4
2 Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 22Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks2
3 Chiba Lotte Marines 0

Series notes

The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters defeated the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in the Pacific League Climax Series, four games to two. Sho Nakata was named the most valuable player of the series. [3] The Fighters last won the Japan Series in 2006. They lost the Japan Series in 2007, 2009, and 2012. [2]

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp defeated the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the Central League Climax Series, four games to one. Kosuke Tanaka was named the series' most valuable player. Hiroshima had not appeared in the Japan Series since 1991. [4] Hiroshima pitcher Hiroki Kuroda announced that he would retire following the series. [5]

Summary

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters won the series, 4–2.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 22Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 1, Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 5 Mazda Stadium 3:3930,619 [6]  
2October 23Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 1, Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 5Mazda Stadium3:1830,638 [7]  
3October 25Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 3, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 4 (10) Sapporo Dome 3:5140,503 [8]  
4October 26Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 1, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 3Sapporo Dome3:3040,599 [9]  
5October 27Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 1, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 5Sapporo Dome3:3240,633 [10]  
6October 29Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 10, Hiroshima Toyo Carp – 4Mazda Stadium4:0130,693 [11]

Game summaries

Game 1

Brad Eldred hit home runs for Hiroshima in Games 1, 2, and 3 Brad Eldred 20130317 MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima.JPG
Brad Eldred hit home runs for Hiroshima in Games 1, 2, and 3
Saturday, October 22, 2016, 6:35 pm (JST) at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Team123456789 R H E
Nippon-Ham0000001001100
Hiroshima01020020X570
WP: Kris Johnson (1–0)   LP: Shohei Ohtani (0–1)
Home runs:
NHF: Brandon Laird (1)
HIR: Ryuhei Matsuyama (1), Brad Eldred (1)
Attendance: 30,619
Boxscore

Kris Johnson, the Carp's starting pitcher, allowed one run in 6+2⁄3 innings pitched, while Hokkaido's Shohei Ohtani allowed three runs in six innings. Hiroshima's Ryuhei Matsuyama and Brad Eldred both hit home runs off of Ohtani in the fourth inning, while Hokkaido's Brandon Laird hit a home run in the seventh inning. Hiroshima responded in the seventh inning with a run batted in (RBI) single by Yoshihiro Maru and a RBI sacrifice fly by Eldred. [12]

Game 2

Yusuke Nomura earned the win for Hiroshima in Game 2 Ye Cun You Fu 20120216.jpg
Yusuke Nomura earned the win for Hiroshima in Game 2
Sunday, October 23, 2016, 6:34 pm (JST) at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Team123456789 R H E
Nippon-Ham000100000141
Hiroshima01000400X571
WP: Yusuke Nomura (1–0)   LP: Hirotoshi Masui (0–1)
Home runs:
NHF: None
HIR: Brad Eldred (2)
Attendance: 30,638
Boxscore

Yui Kamiji threw the ceremonial first pitch. [13] The Carp broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning, which included Eldred's second home run of the series. Yusuke Nomura, who led the Central League with 16 wins during the regular season, allowed one unearned run in six innings pitched for Hiroshima. [14]

Game 3

Shohei Ohtani drove in the game-winning run in Game 3 Fighters ohtani 11.jpg
Shohei Ohtani drove in the game-winning run in Game 3
Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 6:33 pm (JST) at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Team12345678910 R H E
Hiroshima0200000010381
Nippon-Ham1000000201460
WP: Anthony Bass (1–0)   LP: Daichi Osera (0–1)
Home runs:
HIR: Brad Eldred (3)
NHF: None
Attendance: 40,503
Boxscore

Kuroda allowed one run in 5+2⁄3 innings for the Carp, leaving the game due to a leg injury. Eldred hit a two-run home run, his third of the series. Hokkaido took the lead with a two RBI double by Sho Nakata in the eighth inning, and Tomohiro Abe tied the game for Hiroshima with an RBI single in the ninth inning. Ohtani, playing as Hokkaido's designated hitter, hit two doubles earlier in the game and drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single in the tenth inning, scoring Haruki Nishikawa. [15]

Game 4

Brandon Laird hit the game-winning home run in Game 4 Fighters Brandon Laird.jpg
Brandon Laird hit the game-winning home run in Game 4
Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 6:31 pm (JST) at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Team123456789 R H E
Hiroshima000100000161
Nippon-Ham00000102X351
WP: Keisuke Tanimoto (1–0)   LP: Jay Jackson (0–1)   Sv: Naoki Miyanishi (1)
Home runs:
HIR: None
NHF: Sho Nakata (1), Brandon Laird (2)
Attendance: 40,599
Boxscore

Hiroshima took a 1–0 lead in the fourth inning, when Takahiro Arai scored on an error committed by Kensuke Kondo. Hokkaido's Sho Nakata hit a home run to tie the game in the sixth inning. Brandon Laird broke the tie with a two-run home run in the eighth inning for Hokkaido. Hiroshima had the bases loaded in the ninth inning, but Naoki Miyanishi recorded the save by striking out Yoshihiro Maru. [16]

Game 5

Haruki Nishikawa hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning of Game 5. NF-Haruki-Nishikawa20120310.jpg
Haruki Nishikawa hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning of Game 5.
Thursday, October 27, 2016, 6:03 pm (JST) at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Team123456789 R H E
Hiroshima100000000170
Nippon-Ham000000104570
WP: Anthony Bass (2–0)   LP: Shota Nakazaki (0–1)
Home runs:
HIR: None
NHF: Haruki Nishikawa
Attendance: 40,633
Boxscore

Johnson started Game 5 for Hiroshima, while Takayuki Kato started for Hokkaido. [16] Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single in the first inning for Hiroshima. Kato failed to complete the second inning, and Luis Mendoza threw 5+2⁄3 scoreless innings for the Fighters. Johnson did not allow a run in six innings pitched. Takuya Nakashima had an RBI single to tie the game for Hokkaido in the seventh inning. Nishikawa hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning for Hokkaido. [17]

Game 6

Sho Nakata earned outstanding player honors. Sho Nakata (2015).jpg
Sho Nakata earned outstanding player honors.
Saturday, October 29, 2016, 6:33 pm (JST) at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Team123456789 R H E
Nippon-Ham10030006010122
Hiroshima020011000471
WP: Anthony Bass (3–0)   LP: Jay Jackson (0–2)
Home runs:
NHF: Brandon Laird (3)
HIR: Yoshihiro Maru (1)
Attendance: 30,693
Boxscore

With the game tied 4–4 in the eighth inning, Nakata drew a bases loaded walk, Anthony Bass hit an RBI single, and Laird hit a grand slam. Laird, who hit three home runs in the series, won the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award, while Eldred won the Fighting Spirit Award, given to the best player on the losing team. Bass, Nakata, and Nishikawa earned outstanding player honors for the series. [18] [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Japan Series, also the Nippon Series, is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a best-of-seven series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League, and is played in October or November. The first team to win four games is the overall winner and is declared the Japan Series Champion each year. The Japan Series uses a 2–3–2 format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Eldred</span> American baseball player (born 1980)

Bradley Ross Eldred is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Detroit Tigers and in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. His nickname is "Big Country".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiroki Kuroda</span> Japanese baseball player (born 1975)

Hiroki Kuroda is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1997 to 2007 before playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 to 2011 and New York Yankees from 2012 to 2014. After the 2014 season, he chose to return to the Carp to finish out his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sho Nakata</span> Japanese baseball player

Sho Nakata, nicknamed "Sho Time", is a Japanese professional baseball player playing for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He plays outfield and first base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Laird</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Brandon J. Laird, nicknamed "Sushi Boy", is an American professional baseball third baseman who plays for the Mumbai Cobras of Baseball United. He has played for the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Japan Series</span>

The 2012 Japan Series was the 63rd edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) championship series known colloquially as the Japan Series. The best-of-seven playoff was won by the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants in six games over the Pacific League champion Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. It was the Giants' 22nd Japan Series title, second in the last four years. The series began on Saturday, October 27, 2012 and ended on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Giants starting pitcher Tetsuya Utsumi, who was the winning pitcher in Games 1 and 5, was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). Giants players Shinnosuke Abe, Hisayoshi Chono and John Bowker were also recognized with Outstanding Player awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shohei Ohtani</span> Japanese baseball player (born 1994)

Shohei Ohtani, nicknamed "Shotime", is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Pacific League. Widely acclaimed for his skill in both pitching and batting, he has been compared to two-way players such as Babe Ruth and Bullet Rogan, although such comparisons draw debate given the difference in era and overall ability of modern players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shintaro Fujinami</span> Japanese baseball player (born 1994)

Shintaro Fujinami is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Japan Series</span>

The 2013 Japan Series was the 64th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) championship series known colloquially as the Japan Series. The best-of-seven playoff was won by the Pacific League champion Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in seven games over the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants. It was the Eagles' first Japan Series appearance and their first win since the team's creation in 2005. The series began on Saturday, October 26, 2013 and ended on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Miyagi Baseball Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Eagles' starting pitcher Manabu Mima, who was the winning pitcher in Games 3 and 7, was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). This was also the last Japan Series that Konami would sponsor, as SMBC would take over the naming rights in 2014. As of the 2023 season it has been the last Japan Series that had 7 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haruki Nishikawa</span> Japanese baseball player

Haruki Nishikawa is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Japan Series</span> 65th edition of Nippon Professional Baseballs championship series

The 2014 Japan Series was the 65th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) championship series known colloquially as the Japan Series. The best-of-seven playoff was won by the Pacific League champion Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in five games over the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers. The series began on Saturday, October 25, 2014 and ended on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Japan Series</span>

The 2015 Japan Series was the 66th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's postseason championship series. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, champions of the Pacific League, played the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, champions of the Central League. The Hawks were the defending Japan Series champions, having beaten the Hanshin Tigers in 2014. The series was sponsored by the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and was officially known as the SMBC Nippon Series 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Japan Series</span> 68th edition of Nippon Professional Baseballs championship series

The 2017 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's postseason. The 68th edition of the Japan Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Pacific League and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Central League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Japan Series</span> 69th edition of Nippon Professional Baseballs championship series

The 2018 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) 2018 season. The 69th edition of the Japan Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Pacific League's (PL) Climax Series champion and defending Japan Series champions, and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, the Central League's (CL) Climax Series champion. The Hawks defeated the Carp, 4–1–1, in six games, to win their second consecutive Japan Series championship and their fifth in eight years.

The 2019 Central League Climax Series (CLCS) was a postseason playoff consisting of two consecutive series that determined which of the three teams who finished in the top three during the 2019 regular season would represent the Central League in the Japan Series. The First Stage was a best-of-three series played between the second-place hosts Yokohama DeNA BayStars and the third-place Hanshin Tigers. The series was played between October 5 to 7. The Tigers defeated the Baystars 2–1 and advanced to the Final Stage to face the pennant-winning Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Japan Series</span> 70th edition of Nippon Professional Baseballs championship series

The 2019 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) 2019 season. The 70th edition of the Japan Series, it was played from 19-23 October. The series was a best-of-seven playoff between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Pacific League's (PL) Climax Series champion and defending Japan Series champions, and the Yomiuri Giants, the Central League's (CL) Climax Series champion. The Hawks defeated the Giants in a four game sweep to win their third consecutive Japan Series championship, their fifth title in six years; they are also the first team to win three straight Japan Series titles since the Seibu Lions did it from 1990 to 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Japan Series</span> 72nd edition of the Japan Series

The 2021 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's 2021 season. The 72nd edition of the Japan Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the Orix Buffaloes and Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the winners of the Pacific and Central League's Climax Series, respectively. Both teams were the winners of their respective league's regular season championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Japan Series</span>

The 2022 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's 2022 season. The 73rd edition of the Japan Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the winning teams of the Pacific League and Central League's Climax Series. The series began on October 22 and ended on October 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rōki Sasaki's perfect game</span> 2022 baseball game of Japanese professional baseball

On April 10, 2022, Rōki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Pacific League threw a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba City. It was the 16th perfect game in NPB history. Sasaki tied a NPB single-game record with 19 strikeouts and set an NPB record with 13 consecutive strikeouts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Japan Series</span> 74th edition of Nippon Professional Baseballs championship series

The 2023 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) 2023 season. The 74th edition of the Japan Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the winners of the Central League (CL) and Pacific League's (PL) postseason tournament, the Climax Series. The Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes both won their respective CL and PL titles in the regular season, which advanced both teams directly to the final stages of the Climax Series; both then earned Japan Series berths by winning their respective CL and PL Climax Series.

References

  1. ↑ "Carp pitcher Kuroda announces decision to retire after Japan Series". October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016– via Japan Times Online.
  2. 1 2 "Fighters beat Hawks 7–4 to reach Japan Series ‹ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion". Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Never-say-die attitude takes Fighters to Japan Series". The Japan Times. October 16, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Carp hold off BayStars, advance to Japan Series for first time since 1991". October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016– via Japan Times Online.
  5. ↑ "Ex-Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to retire, wants beer shower". NJ.com. October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Saturday, October 22, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Sunday, October 23, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Tuesday, October 25, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Wednesday, October 26, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Thursday, October 27, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Saturday, October 29, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball . Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  12. ↑ Coskrey, Jason (October 23, 2016). "Carp capitalize on big plays, stellar pitching to beat Fighters in Game 1". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Carp take 2–0 lead over Fighters in Japan Series". Japan Today. October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  14. ↑ Coskrey, Jason (October 23, 2016). "Carp sink Fighters to take 2–0 Japan Series lead". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  15. ↑ Coskrey, Jason (October 26, 2016). "Otani delivers game-winning single in 10th as Fighters prevail in Game 3". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Coskrey, Jason (October 27, 2016). "Laird sends Fighters past Carp to tie Japan Series". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  17. ↑ Coskrey, Jason (October 27, 2016). "Late-game heroics propel Fighters to brink of Japan Series title: Haruki Nishikawa slugs game-winning grand slam in ninth inning". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ Coskrey, Jason (October 29, 2016). "Fighters wrap up Japan Series title with dramatic eighth-inning fireworks". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Former Yankee Laird leads Nippon Ham to Japan Series title". USA Today. Associated Press. October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.