Kanemoto the hero Tigers 4 Hawks 3 Koshien, June 7, 2009-- Tomoaki Kanemoto hit a two-run game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Hanshin Tigers over the Softbank Hawks 4-3 for their fourth win a row in interleague action on Sunday. Hanshin took a 2-0 lead in the first but a tying two-run homer by Hidenori Tanoue in the second and Hiroki Kokubo's leadoff shot in the sixth put Softbank ahead before Kanemoto's heroics with one out and the bases loaded against Takahiro Mahara (1-1) in the ninth. Jeff Williams (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win. (Kyodo) Colonel Sanders found • Colonel stages a comeback in Osaka (Japan Times) • KFC statue to end Japan 'curse'? (BBC) • Bass Celebrated In Japan As 'Curse' Lifted (KOCO.com) • Can Japanese baseball end the 'Curse of Col. Sanders'? (USA Today) • Hanshin Tigers Fans Conspire to Throw Glico Man Into The Dotonbori River (Marinerds etc. blog) • Radio interview with Randy Bass (NPR) Recent articles (2009) • Tigers, Hawks busy breaking in new skippers during spring training (2/16) - In addition to the usual offseason shuffling, the Hanshin Tigers and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks are busy breaking in new managers before the start of the 2009 season. (Japan Times) Hanshin beats the Yankees! (2004) • Yankees lose to Hanshin, 11-7 - mlb.com - includes a box score and video of Yano's inside-the-park home run. Articles from 2003 • Hanshin's Paper Tigers - This excellent essay appears in the current Asian edition of Time magazine. The social analysis is spot on. (9/1) • Tigers,Tigers Burning Bright: Can a Kansai institution convert pennants into pennies? - Probably the best-researched business article I've seen on the Tigermania in Osaka. From J@pan.Inc magazine (Aug 2003) • Hanshin Tigers Prowling for the Pennant - One of Captain Japan's regular columns on Japan. And the focus this month is on the big party waiting to happen in the Osaka area. (8/19) • Tigers' bite bewilders Japanese baseball fans - Jonathan Watts of the UK newspaper, The Guardian, writes about the Tigers in his typically cynical Tokyo-centric style. (7/26) • Aussie closer slides into Tigers scheme - Jim Allen interviews Jeff Williams, Hanshin's Aussie closer. (7/3) Links: • Japanesebaseball.com - Full of information on Japanese baseball, with some great forums too. • YakyuShop - Yakyushop sells Japanese baseball jerseys and caps from all the pro teams, and now cards as well - worldwide shipping, direct from Japan. Credit cards accepted. • Rob's Japanese Baseball cards - Looking for classic baseball cards? This site has a wide range of cards for the serious collector. • Torakichinet.com - And now you can show your loyalty by wearing a Tiger suit! No, not one with stripes - these are custom made men's business suits with a Hanshin Tigers lining. This site is in Japanese only, but if you need help with ordering, just let me know. Oh, and if you mention the Hanshin Tigers Page, you'll get a discount! • Check out this cool Tiger tank - From Osaka model maker Omami 2009 World Baseball Classic Apparel at the MLB.com Shop - Don't Miss Out!