Japan Series
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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. If one team wins four games, it is called the Japan Series Champion (日本一?) in each year. The 2006 Series began on Oct. 21.[1].
Historically, the Central League has been more successful in the Japan Series than the Pacific: the Central has won thirty-two times, and the Pacific only twenty-four. The team to win the 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. This is the first league championship for the Fighters franchise since 1962.
Contents |
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 |
[edit] See also
- Nippon Professional Baseball
- World Baseball Classic
- Baseball World Cup
- Asia Series
- 2005 Konami Cup Asia Series
- 2006 Konami Cup Asia Series
