Tigers sign Jojima! Fukuoka, October 27, 2009-- Kenji Jojima on Tuesday agreed to join the Hanshin Tigers on a four-year deal worth an estimated 2 billion yen plus performance related bonuses after holding a second round of talks with the Central League club in Fukuoka. The 33-year-old catcher last week exercised an opt-out clause in his contract with the Seattle Mariners to return to Japan after injuries and lack of production limited him to 71 games this past season and 112 games in 2008. ''Hanshin was the first team to come after me and the first to set up talks,'' said Jojima. ''It gives me confidence when I think about the support from the Hanshin fans at Koshien, which for me has been the opposition's home ground until now.'' Hanshin senior director Senichi Hoshino said, ''Adding a passionate player like Jojima to the roster will give the team an extra lift. I believe he will deliver results.'' The Softbank Hawks had also expressed interest in bringing Jojima back to the club he played for before moving to North America. ''I am happy that Softbank wanted me but there is no turning back. Posting great results for Hanshin is the only thing on my mind now,'' said Jojima. Softbank Hawks chairman Sadaharu Oh, who had asked Jojima to rejoin the team, was disappointed with the move. ''I wanted him to battle for the championship as a Hawks player so it is a pity,'' said former Hawks manager Oh. ''Still, it is his decision and he will add something special to Japanese baseball so I hope he does well.'' Jojima batted .268 during his four seasons with the Mariners, hitting 48 home runs and driving in 198 runs in 462 games. The only Japanese-born catcher who has played in the major leagues, Jojima batted .299 with 211 home runs and 699 RBIs in 1,117 games during 11 years with the Hawks. He helped the team win the Japan Series in 1999 and 2003 while winning seven consecutive Gold Gloves through 2005. (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' Koshien Stadium goes green with solar power (12/7) - Koshien Stadium is set to become an eco-friendly arena next year, as construction work is being carried out to install solar battery panels on the roof above its infield stands. (Mainichi Daily News) • Brazell making most of second Japan stint (7/24) - Back in Japan after missing the 2008 postseason with a head injury, Hanshin Tigers first baseman Craig Brazell is playing like he's got a new lease on life and reaping the benefits at the plate. (Japan Times) • 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!