Chiba Lotte Marines - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The are a professional baseball

Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...

team in Japan's

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

Pacific League

The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...

based in Chiba City

Chiba, Chiba

is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....

, Chiba Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...

, in the Kantō region

Kanto region

The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....

, and owned by the Lotte conglomerate

Lotte (conglomerate)

Lotte Co., Ltd. is a South Korean-Japanese Jaebeol and one of the largest food and shopping groups in South Korea and Japan. Lotte was established in June 1948, in Tokyo, by Japanese-educated, Korean businessman Shin Kyuk-Ho – also known as...

History

The Marines franchise began in 1950 as an inaugural member of the Pacific League

Pacific League

. The Marines were founded as the Mainichi Orions, and they won the inaugural Japan Series

Japan Series

, or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League....

in 1950

1950 Japan Series

-Game 1:Wednesday, November 22, 1950 at Meiji Jingu Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo-Game 2:Thursday, November 23, 1950 at Korakuen Stadium in Bunkyō, Tokyo-Game 3:Saturday, November 25, 1950 at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture-Game 4:...

. In 1958, they were renamed the Daimai Orions; the Tokyo Orions in 1964; the Lotte Orions in 1969; and finally, since 1992, they have been the Chiba Lotte Marines.

The franchise was slow to duplicate its initial success: the Orions made the Japan Series in 1960

1960 Japan Series

-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1960 at Kawasaki Stadium in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture-Game 2:Wednesday, October 12, 1960 at Kawasaki Stadium in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture-Game 3:Friday, October 14, 1960 at Korakuen Stadium in Bunkyō, Tokyo-Game 4:...

and 1970, only to lose both years. In 1974, they beat the Chunichi Dragons

Chunichi Dragons

The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...

, becoming the first Pacific League team to win the Series in 10 years as the Yomiuri Giants

Yomiuri Giants

The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...

had claimed the prior nine titles behind the Oh

Sadaharu Oh

Sadaharu Oh, or Wang Chenchih , is a retired Japanese-Taiwanese baseball player and manager. He batted and threw left-handed and primarily played first base. Oh, who was born in Sumida, Tokyo the son of a Taiwanese father and a Japanese mother, had originally signed with the powerhouse Yomiuri...

-Nagashima

Shigeo Nagashima

is a Japanese former professional baseball player and manager.Nagashima was by far the most popular figure in Japanese baseball during his career. His contributions to the development of the sport in Japan are immeasurable.-Biography:...

attack. After that the team failed to reach the Japan Series again until 2005

2005 Japan Series

The Japan Series, the 56th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's championship series, began on October 22 and ended on October 26, and matched the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers against the Pacific League Champion, Chiba Lotte Marines...

.

The Marines started the 2005 season

2005 Nippon Professional Baseball season

In the Nippon Professional Baseball season ended with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League defeating the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League in a four game sweep in the Nippon Series.-Pacific League:* Season Format** Regular Season...

in first place behind American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

manager Bobby Valentine

Bobby Valentine

Robert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...

, but fell behind the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

The are a Japanese baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The team was bought on January 28, 2005 by the SoftBank Corporation.The team was formerly known as the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. In 1988, Daiei bought the team from Osaka's Nankai Electric Railway Co., and its headquarters were...

as the year progressed. Under the playoff format of the time, the preliminary five game playoff round, prior to the Japan Series, saw the teams with the best first and second half records face off. The Marines defeated the Hawks three games to two in the Pacific League championship, winning the rubber match despite entering the eight inning trailing 2-1.

The Marines thus qualified for the Japan Series

2005 Japan Series

, the first time they had reached the tournament since 1974, a 31-year drought. In a one-sided series, the Marines swept the Hanshin Tigers

Hanshin Tigers

The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...

in four games, scoring ten runs in each of the first three games. The apparent ease with which the Marines defeated the Tigers added fuel to the ongoing debate concerning the need for a playoff

Playoff

The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...

system in the Central League

Central League

The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...

, which was finally added in 2007 (see Climax Series

Climax Series

The is the current annual playoff system employed by Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball . It determines which two teams from the Central League and the Pacific League will compete in the Japan Series for the national championship. Since the creation of the NPB's two-league system in 1950, the...

). The Marines went on to defeat South Korea's Samsung Lions

Samsung Lions

Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...

in the final round of the Konami Cup

Asia Series

The Asia Series is an international baseball tournament in East Asia that was first held between November 10 and November 13, 2005, in Tokyo. The tournament was sponsored by Konami corporation from 2005 to 2007 and was known as the Konami Cup in that period.It is played among the annual champions...

Championships.

In 2010

2010 Nippon Professional Baseball season

The 2010 Nippon Professional Baseball season is the 61st season since the NPB was reorganized in .-Central League First Stage:Yomiuri Giants win series 2-0-Central League Final Stage:Chunichi Dragons have one-win advantage...

, the Marines clinched third place on the last day of the season to earn a berth into the Climax Series. They went on to become the first third place team to ever win the Climax Series, and faced off with the Chunichi Dragons

Chunichi Dragons

The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...

in the 2010 Japan Series

2010 Japan Series

-Summary:-Chiba Lotte Marines:In what was a roller coaster of a year for seemingly the entire Pacific League, the Chiba Lotte Marines finished third in the league behind the second-place Saitama Seibu Lions and the first-place Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks...

. The Marines defeated the Dragons in seven games, composed of four wins, two losses, and one tie, winning their second Japan Series in under ten years.

Current players

(changed to number 11 for 2010 season) (changed to number 16 for 2010 season) (joined as free agent from Orix Buffaloes for 2010 season) (returned to Chiba as free agent for 2010 season)

Former 2007 players

Benny Agbayani

Benny Peter Agbayani, Jr. is retired professional baseball player. Born in Hawaii to Filipino and Samoan parents, he attended Saint Louis School and Hawaii Pacific University. He also attended the Oregon Institute of Technology...

Bobby Valentine

(former manager, 1995, 2004–2009) Kevin Beirne

Kevin Beirne

Kevin Patrick Beirne was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He is the son of Jim Beirne, who played with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers of the NFL from 1968 to 1976....

Mike Diaz

Michael Anthony Diaz is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1983 and 1988, for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox...

Julio Franco

Julio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....

Matt Franco

Matthew Neil Franco is a former professional baseball player who played first base in the major leagues from 1995–2003, and in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2004-2006. Franco started his pro career in 1987 with the Rookie League Wytheville Cubs in the Appalachian League...

Mel Hall

Melvin Hall Jr. is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1996 with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants. He also played in Japan from 1993-1995...

Isao Harimoto

Isao Harimoto is a Korean former Nippon Professional Baseball player and holder of the record for most hits in the Japanese professional leagues. An ethnic Korean, his birth name is Jang Hun...

Pete Incaviglia

Peter "Inky" Joseph Incaviglia is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted in the 1st round by the Montreal Expos in the 1985 amateur draft out of Oklahoma State University, but was traded later the same year to the Texas Rangers...

Hideki Irabu

was a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...

Masahide Kobayashi

is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Orix Buffaloes.From -, Kobayashi played in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the Chiba Lotte Marines...

Leron Lee

Leron Lee is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played 8 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres....

(uncle of Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee

Derrek Leon Lee , or "D-Lee", is a Major League Baseball first baseman. Lee has played with the San Diego Padres , the Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates . He bats and throws right-handed.Lee was a World Series Champion with Florida in 2003,...

) Lee Seung-Yeop Jim Lefebvre

Jim Lefebvre

James Kenneth Lefebvre is a former second baseman, third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Lefebvre, the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year, was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1962. In 1965, his rookie year, he hit .250 with 12 home runs and 69 RBI...

Darryl Motley

Darryl DeWayne Motley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played six seasons for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves between and . In his MLB career, Motley played in 413 games, hit 44 home runs, 324 hits, 159 RBIs, and batted .243...

Hiromitsu Ochiai

Hiromitsu Ochiai is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He is currently manager of the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball...

(current manager of Chunichi Dragons

Chunichi Dragons

The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...

) Hiroshi Ogawa

Hiroshi Ogawa

is a former Japanese pitcher of the Chiba Lotte Marines and murderer.On November 18, 2004, Ogawa murdered a 67-year-old woman Kazuko Nishiuchi. The murder shocked the Nippon Professional Baseball. His uniform number 26 has been retired since 2005 though the Chiba Lotte Marines did not say that the...

Dan Serafini

Daniel Joseph Serafini is a left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent and coach/owner of Throw Like a Pro Baseball Academy.-Minor league career:...

Jose Fernandez Julio Zuleta

Julio Zuleta

Julio Zuleta Tapia is a professional baseball player, most recently for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League. He graduated from the Colegio Javier in Panama City and speaks five languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French, English and Japanese...

Satoru Komiyama

, born September 15, 1965, is a professional baseball player from Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. He currently plays with the Chiba Lotte Marines, and played in the major leagues with the New York Mets in 2002.-Biography:...

(retired in 2009) Naoyuki Shimizu

Naoyuki Shimizu

is a professional baseball player from Kyoto, Japan. He is a starting pitcher for the Yokohama BayStars.He joined the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal. He also played with the Japanese national team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic...

(traded to Yokohama BayStars

Yokohama BayStars

The are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Home field is the Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The clubhouse is located near the stadium....

in 2009) Tasuku Hashimoto (signed by Yokohama BayStars as free agent in 2009) Michael Parra (Batboy

Batboy

A batboy is an individual who carries the baseball bats around to a baseball team. A batboy may also lay out the equipment and mud the baseballs to be used in the game.Mascots and batboys had both been part of baseball since the 1880s....

)

MLB players

Active:

Ryohei Tanaka (2009-)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka
Tsuyoshi Nishioka
is a professional baseball infielder who currently plays for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2003–10....

(2011-)

Retired:

Hideki Irabu
Hideki Irabu
was a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...

(1997-2002)
Satoru Komiyama
Satoru Komiyama
, born September 15, 1965, is a professional baseball player from Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. He currently plays with the Chiba Lotte Marines, and played in the major leagues with the New York Mets in 2002.-Biography:...

(2002)
Masahide Kobayashi
Masahide Kobayashi
is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Orix Buffaloes.From -, Kobayashi played in the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the Chiba Lotte Marines...

(2008-2009)
Yasuhiko Yabuta
Yasuhiko Yabuta
is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee....

(2008-2009)

Honored number

26 - This number is considered the number of the fan, the '26th player' on the bench
Sidelines
The "sidelines" is a term commonly used to define the white or colored lines which mark the outer boundaries of a sports field. American football sidelines, for example, mark the edge of the field. Should a player pass through the sidelines, he is considered out of bounds...

. (NPB teams have 25 players on their active roster.)

, also known as KameKame (disambiguation)

Kame (disambiguation)

A kame is a geological feature.Kame may also refer to:* The KAME project, a cooperative UNIX IPv6 coding effort of six Japanese companies* KAME-TV, a television station licensed to Reno, Nevada, United States...

and K² (his pen name)Talk:K², Japan

Japan

ese idol

Japanese idol

In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...

, singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...

, actor

Actor

An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

, producer

Television producer

The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...

, television personality, radio host

Radio personality

A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...

and member of the group KAT-TUN

KAT-TUN

KAT-TUN is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates in 2001. The group's name is an acronym based on the first letter of each member's family name until the departure of Jin Akanishi in 2010. As of 2010, KAT-TUN stands for Kazuya KAmenashi, Junnosuke Taguchi, Koki Tanaka, Tatsuya Ueda,...

, was the honored guest, having #26 on his baseball uniform, to throw the first pitch at the Pacific League

Pacific League

opening ceremony for the 2009 baseball season at a match in Chiba City featuring the team against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

on July 19, 2009.

External links

Chiba Lotte Marines official web site We Love Marines - English-language Marines fan site

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