[Breaking News]Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 8 Kyodo - People are surrounded by police officers as they gather at Ebisu bridge in Osaka's Minami district after the Hanshin Tigers baseball club won the Central League pennant on Sept. 7, 2025. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Bargain sales after Tigers' CL pennant win

AMAGASAKI, Japan, Sept. 8 Kyodo - A decorative paper ball is broken at a ceremony celebrating the Hanshin Tigers baseball club's Central League victory at a shopping arcade in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 8, 2025, kicking off bargain sales at local shops and restaurants. (Kyodo)

Bargain sales after Tigers' CL pennant win

Bargain sales after Tigers' CL pennant win

A decorative paper ball is broken at a ceremony celebrating the Hanshin Tigers baseball club's Central League victory at a shopping arcade in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 8, 2025, kicking off bargain sales at local shops and restaurants.

Bargain sale after Tigers' CL pennant win

Bargain sale after Tigers' CL pennant win

Hanshin Department Store holds a ceremony kicking off a bargain sale at its flagship outlet in Osaka's Umeda district on Sept. 8, 2025, a day after the Hanshin Tigers baseball club won the Central League pennant.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers fans celebrate under the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka after the baseball team won the Central League pennant on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

People are surrounded by police officers as they gather at Ebisu bridge in Osaka's Minami district after the Hanshin Tigers baseball club won the Central League pennant on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers fans celebrate after the baseball team won the Central League pennant following a 2-0 victory over the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers players celebrate after the baseball team won the Central League pennant following a 2-0 victory over the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers players celebrate after the baseball team won the Central League pennant following a 2-0 victory over the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers players celebrate after the baseball team won the Central League pennant following a 2-0 victory over the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers players pose for a photo after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers players pose for a photo after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Baseball: Tigers clinch CL pennant

Hanshin Tigers manager Kyuji Fujikawa is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Central League pennant at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Fans of the Yomiuri Giants cheer its players after the team's 6-3 win over the DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium on Sept. 26, 2014, to clinch their 45th league title. The victory also marked the Giants' third straight Central League pennant.

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Players of the Yomiuri Giants celebrate after defeating the DeNA BayStars 6-3 at Yokohama Stadium on Sept. 26, 2014, to clinch their 45th league title. The victory also marked the Giants' third straight Central League pennant.

(2)Tigers join parade to celebrate winning CL pennant

(2)Tigers join parade to celebrate winning CL pennant

OSAKA, Japan - Senichi Hoshino (L), former manager of the Central League baseball club Hanshin Tigers, waves to fans from a victory float during a parade along Midosuji street in Osaka to celebrate the club winning the league pennant. Hoshino stepped down as manager due to health concerns after the Tigers were beaten by the Pacific League champion Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the Japan Series.

(1)Tigers join parade to celebrate winning CL pennant

(1)Tigers join parade to celebrate winning CL pennant

OSAKA, Japan - Hanshin Tigers players ride a victory float along Midosuji street in Osaka on Nov. 3 to celebrate their winning the Central League pennant for the first time in 18 years. Some 40,000 people lined the 2-kilometer-long parade route despite rain.

(3)Tigers win Central League pennant for 1st time in 18 years

(3)Tigers win Central League pennant for 1st time in 18 years

OSAKA, Japan - Fans of the Central League baseball club team Hanshin Tigers gather at the Dotonbori district in central Osaka on Sept. 15 after the Tigers beat the Hiroshima Carp 3-2. The Tigers won the CL pennant for the first time in 18 years.

Takenaka hopes economy will turn around if Tigers top CL

Takenaka hopes economy will turn around if Tigers top CL

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Economic and fiscal policy minister Heizo Takenaka speaks at a news conference in Yokohama on June 28. He voiced hope that Japan's ailing economy will see a turnaround this year if the Hanshin Tigers win the Central League (CL) pennant, which many baseball fans expect to happen.

Petagine receives MVP honor in CL

Petagine receives MVP honor in CL

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult slugger Roberto Petagine speaks to reporters at a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 27 after he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2001 Japan professional baseball session in the Central League. Petagine took the CL home run title with 39 and led the league with 127 RBIs while helping the Swallows win the CL pennant and Japan Series title.

Takenaka hopes economy will turn around if Tigers top CL

Takenaka hopes economy will turn around if Tigers top CL

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Economic and fiscal policy minister Heizo Takenaka speaks at a news conference in Yokohama on June 28. He voiced hope that Japan's ailing economy will see a turnaround this year if the Hanshin Tigers win the Central League (CL) pennant, which many baseball fans expect to happen. (Kyodo)

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Members of the Yakult Swallows express joy as they won their seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1 at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Yuhei Takai (C) of the Yakult Swallows smacks the game-ending hit during the 11th inning of a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, leading his team to win its seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Members of the Yakult Swallows give their skipper Mitsuru a victorious toss as they won their seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1 at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Members of the Yakult Swallows express joy as they won their seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1 at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Yuhei Takai of the Yakult Swallows smacks the game-ending hit during the 11th inning of a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, leading his team to win its seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Yuhei Takai (front) of the Yakult Swallows smacks the game-ending hit during the 11th inning of a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, leading his team to win its seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Members of the Yakult Swallows express joy as they won their seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1 at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows fly to 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Members of the Yakult Swallows give their skipper Mitsuru Manaka a victorious toss as they won their seventh Central League pennant and the first in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1 at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows members meet press after winning CL pennant

Swallows members meet press after winning CL pennant

Yakult Swallows infielder Tetsuto Yamada (far L) and skipper Mitsuru Manaka (2nd from L) join pitcher Masanori Ishikawa (2nd from R) and outfielder Yuhei Takai at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 2, 2015, after winning the Central League pennant, their first in 14 years, by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows members join group photo as CL pennant winners

Swallows members join group photo as CL pennant winners

Yakult Swallows players and officials pose for commemorative photos at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, after winning the Central League pennant, their first in 14 years, by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1. Standing in the front line is skipper Mitsuru Manaka (2nd from L). (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows win 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Swallows win 1st CL pennant in 14 years

Yakult Swallows skipper Mitsuru Manaka (2nd from R) and his players acknowledge the cheering of fans at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, after clinching the Central League pennant for the first time in 14 years by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swallows skipper in tears after team's 1st CL title in 14 years

Swallows skipper in tears after team's 1st CL title in 14 years

First-time Yakult Swallows skipper Mitsuru Manaka appears overcome with emotion at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Oct. 2, 2015, as the team won the Central League pennant, their first in 14 years, by beating the Hanshin Tigers 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Players of the Yomiuri Giants celebrate after defeating the DeNA BayStars 6-3 at Yokohama Stadium on Sept. 26, 2014, to clinch their 45th league title. The victory also marked the Giants' third straight Central League pennant. (Kyodo)

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

Giants clinch 3rd straight CL pennant

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Fans of the Yomiuri Giants cheer its players after the team's 6-3 win over the DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium on Sept. 26, 2014, to clinch their 45th league title. The victory also marked the Giants' third straight Central League pennant. (Kyodo)

Baseball: BayStars skipper Ramirez targets CL title in 2017

Baseball: BayStars skipper Ramirez targets CL title in 2017

DeNA BayStars manager Alex Ramirez (L) shakes hands with the club's owner Tomoko Namba during his end-of-season visit to the team office in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Oct. 18, 2016. Ramirez, who guided the BayStars to the Climax Series playoffs in his first year in charge, said he is targeting the Central League pennant next year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(3)Tigers win Central League pennant for 1st time in 18 years

(3)Tigers win Central League pennant for 1st time in 18 years

OSAKA, Japan - Fans of the Central League baseball club team Hanshin Tigers gather at the Dotonbori district in central Osaka on Sept. 15 after the Tigers beat the Hiroshima Carp 3-2. The Tigers won the CL pennant for the first time in 18 years. (Kyodo)

Petagine receives MVP honor in CL

Petagine receives MVP honor in CL

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult slugger Roberto Petagine speaks to reporters at a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 27 after he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2001 Japan professional baseball session in the Central League. Petagine took the CL home run title with 39 and led the league with 127 RBIs while helping the Swallows win the CL pennant and Japan Series title.