Japan Series
The Japan Championship Series (日本選手権シリーズ試合 Nihon Senshuken Shiriizu Shiai?), or Japan Series (日本シリーズ Nihon Shiriizu?) is a seven-game championship played by the winners of Japan's two professional baseball leagues (the Central League and Pacific League). It is the highest level of play in professional baseball in Japan. It is usually played in October. As in all of the best of seven series, the first tem to win four games is the overall winner and is decleared the Japan Series Champion (日本一?) in each year. The 2006 Series began on Oct. 21.[1].
The Home Team for the games 1, 2 and eventual 6 and 7, alternates between the two leagues with the Pacific League having the advantage on the years ending with an odd number and the Central League on the years ending with an even number. So the 2007 Japan Series has the Pacific League team hosting the games 1, 2 and eventual 6 and 7.
Historically, the Central League has been more successful in the Japan Series than the Pacific League having won thirty-two times versus the Pacific League's twenty-four. The team with most championships is the Yomiuri Giants, who have won the Japan Series twenty times. However, the Pacific League has won four consecutive Series, and has not lost the Series since the inception of the three-team stepladder playoff format to determine the league champion.
The 2006 Japan Series pitted the Central League champion Chunichi Dragons against the Pacific League champion Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. After losing game one of the series in Nagoya, the Fighters won the next four games to become the 2006 Japan Series champions. It was the first Japan Series Championship for the Fighters franchise since 1962.
List of winners of Japan Series
 |
 |
| Central League | Pacific League |
NOTE: There is a limit to the number of innings which may be played during any game in Japanese professional baseball. All ties after 15 innings (was originally 12 innings) are official tie games and must be replayed for the purpose of the Series.
Teams by number of wins in Japan Series
| Team | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Yomiuri Giants | 20 | 10 |
| Seibu Lions | 12 | 8 |
| Tokyo Yakult Swallows | 5 | 1 |
| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks | 4 | 9 |
| Orix Buffaloes | 4 | 8 |
| Hiroshima Carp | 3 | 3 |
| Chiba Lotte Marines | 3 | 2 |
| Hokkaidō Nippon Ham Fighters | 2 | 1 |
| Yokohama BayStars | 2 | 0 |
| Chunichi Dragons | 1 | 6 |
| Hanshin Tigers | 1 | 4 |
| Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes | 0 | 4 |
| Shochiku Robins | 0 | 1 |
See also
- Nippon Professional Baseball
- World Baseball Classic
- Baseball World Cup
- Asia Series
- 2005 Konami Cup Asia Series
- 2006 Konami Cup Asia Series
External links
| Nippon Professional Baseball Japan Series |
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1950 | 1951 | 1952 |
1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
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