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Eagles win Japan Series

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka pitches during the ninth inning of Game 7 of the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 3, 2013. The Eagles beat the Giants 3-0, winning the Japan Series for the first time.

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Eagles win Japan Series

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles players toss manager Senichi Hoshino in the air after beating the Yomiuri Giants 3-0 in Game 7 of the Japan Series at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 3, 2013. The Eagles won the Japan Series for the first time

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Eagles win Japan Series

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka pitches during the ninth inning of Game 7 of the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 3, 2013. The Eagles beat the Giants 3-0, winning the Japan Series for the first time.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka reacts after winning in a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters 3-2 at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. It was Tanaka's 20th straight win of the season.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka reacts after winning in a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters 3-2 at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. It was Tanaka's 20th straight win of the season.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka reacts after winning in a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters 3-2 at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. It was Tanaka's 20th straight win of the season.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka reacts after winning in a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters 3-2 at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. It was Tanaka's 20th straight win of the season.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. Tanaka got his 20th straight win of the season in the team's 3-2 victory.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. Tanaka got his 20th straight win of the season in the team's 3-2 victory.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. Tanaka got his 20th straight win of the season in the team's 3-2 victory.

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Tanaka gets 20th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 6, 2013. Tanaka got his 20th straight win of the season in the team's 3-2 victory.

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Eagles pitcher Tanaka

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Softbank Hawks at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 9, 2013. Tanaka improved to 16-0, a Nippon Professional Baseball record, as the Eagles won 5-0.

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Eagles pitcher Tanaka

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka holds a signboard reading "16" at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 9, 2013. Tanaka improved to 16-0, a Nippon Professional Baseball record, as the Eagles beat the Softbank Hawks 5-0.

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Eagles pitcher Tanaka

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Softbank Hawks at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 9, 2013. Tanaka improved to 16-0, a Nippon Professional Baseball record, as the Eagles won 5-0.

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Eagles pitcher Tanaka

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Softbank Hawks at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 9, 2013. Tanaka improved to 16-0, a Nippon Professional Baseball record, as the Eagles won 5-0.

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Eagles pitcher Tanaka

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Softbank Hawks at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 9, 2013. Tanaka improved to 16-0, a Nippon Professional Baseball record, as the Eagles won 5-0.

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Kaz Matsui hopes to make 'new history' with Rakuten

SENDAI, Japan - Former major league infielder Kazuo Matsui poses for photos at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Nov. 29, 2010, before joining the Rakuten Eagles. Matsui said at a press conference he hopes he can respond to his new club's expectations after rejoining Japanese baseball for the first time in eight years.

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Oakland Athletics win exclusive negotiating rights for Iwakuma

SENDAI, Japan - Tohoku Rakuten Eagles right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma enters Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Nov. 9, 2010. Major League Baseball announced the Oakland Athletics have won the rights to negotiate exclusively with him.

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Oakland Athletics win exclusive negotiating rights for Iwakuma

SENDAI, Japan - Tohoku Rakuten Eagles right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma enters Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Nov. 9, 2010. Major League Baseball announced the Oakland Athletics have won the rights to negotiate exclusively with him.

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Rakuten manager Brown fired

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles manager Marty Brown waves to fans after the final game of the season at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Sept. 29, 2010. The Eagles management fired Brown after only one season.

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Hawks clinch PL title

SENDAI, Japan - Fukuoka Softbank Hawks players toss manager Koji Akiyama after the team clinched the Pacific League title at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Sept. 26, 2010.

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Hawks clinch PL title

SENDAI, Japan - Fukuoka Softbank Hawks players toss manager Koji Akiyama after the team clinched the Pacific League title at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Sept. 26, 2010.

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Hawks clinch PL title

SENDAI, Japan - Fukuoka Softbank Hawks players toss manager Koji Akiyama after the team clinched the Pacific League title at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Sept. 26, 2010.

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Rakuten's Iwakuma to be posted for move to majors

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma starts against the Nippon Ham Fighters on Sept. 24, 2010, at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai. The Eagles announced Oct. 4 it will allow the 29-year-old with a 101-62 career record and a 3.32 ERA in over 10 seasons in Japan to sign with an American major league club through a posting system.

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Rakuten's Iwakuma to be posted for move to majors

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma pitches against the Orix Buffaloes at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Sept. 11, 2010. The Eagles announced Oct. 4 it will allow the 29-year-old with a 101-62 career record and a 3.32 ERA in over 10 seasons in Japan to sign with an American major league club through a posting system.

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Rakuten's Tanaka beats Nippon Ham

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka throws against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on April 25, 2010. Tanaka, who started the game, earned his third win giving up three runs in the six innings.

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Yamasaki, Tanaka help Rakuten advance to PLCS 2nd stage

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Softbank Hawks in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 17, 2009. Tanaka allowed one unearned run in a complete game as the Eagles won 4-1 to move into the second stage of the series to face the Nippon Ham Fighters.

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Yamasaki, Tanaka help Rakuten advance to PLCS 2nd stage

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' pitcher Masahiro Tanaka celebrates after his team beat the Softbank Hawks 4-1 in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 17, 2009. The Eagles will face the Nippon Ham in the series second stage.

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Yamasaki, Tanaka help Rakuten advance to PLCS 2nd stage

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Takeshi Yamasaki hits a three-run homer over the left-field fence in the fifth inning against the Softbank Hawks in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 17, 2009. The Eagles won 4-1 to move into the second stage of the series to face the Nippon Ham Fighters.

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Yamasaki, Tanaka help Rakuten advance to PLCS 2nd stage

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Takeshi Yamasaki (7) celebrates with club manager Katsuya Nomura after hitting a three-run homer over the left-field fence in the fifth inning against the Softbank Hawks in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 17. The Eagles won 4-1 to move into the second stage of the series to face the Nippon Ham Fighters.

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Eagles rough up Sugiuchi to take PLCS opener

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Hisashi Iwakuma pitches against the Softbank Hawks in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 16, 2009. Iwakuma pitched a complete game as the Eagles won 11-4.

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Eagles rough up Sugiuchi to take PLCS opener

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma reacts after beating the Softbank Hawks 11-4 in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 16, 2009. Iwakuma pitched a complete game, allowing six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

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Eagles rough up Sugiuchi to take PLCS opener

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles leadoff batter Yosuke Takasu hits a homer off Softbank Hawks starter Toshiya Sugiuchi in the first inning of Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Oct. 16, 2009. The Rukuten Eagles won 11-4.

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Eagles' Kitani takes 1st win as pro

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Hisashi Kitani throws against the Chiba Lotte Marines as a starter at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 15. Kitani earned his first win in his professional career, only giving up one run in the six innings and steering his team to a 5-1 victory.

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Eagles' Yamasaki tags out on third

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles veteran Takeshi Yamasaki is tagged out, failing to extend his two-run double to a triple in the first inning of a game against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 15. The Eagles won 5-1.

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Eagles' Kitani takes 1st win as pro

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles pitcher Hisashi Kitani throws against the Chiba Lotte Marines as a starter at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 15. Kitani earned his first win in his professional career, only giving up one run in the six innings and steering his team to a 5-1 victory.

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Rakutan ace Tanaka earns 10th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka waves to the crowd after taking his 10th win of the season in his club's 4-3 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 14.

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Rakutan ace Tanaka strains in game vs Lotte

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka reacts after striking out Chiba Lotte Marines Saburo Omura in the eighth inning of a game at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 14. Tanaka took his 10th win in his team's 4-3 victory.

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Eagles' Uchimura completes double play

SENDAI, Japan - The Softbank Hawks' Nobuhiko Matsunaka (bottom) is forced out at second as Rakuten Eagles second baseman Kensuke Uchimura throws to first to complete a double play in the third inning of a game at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Miyagi Prefecture on Aug. 12. The Eagles won 5-1.

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Rakuten Eagles' Iwakuma earns 9th win against Softbank Hawks

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Hisashi Iwakuma pitches against the Softbank Hawks at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 11. Iwakuma allowed no runs in seven innings and earned his ninth win this season.

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Nippon Ham's Koyano fielding

SENDAI, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters third baseman Eiichi Koyano throws to first after fielding a bunt laid down by the Rakuten Eagles' Naoto Watanabe (L) in the sixth inning of a game at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 9. The Fighters won 4-1.

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Eagles' Tanaka earns season's 9th win against Fighters

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on Aug. 7. Tanaka earned this season's ninth win, allowing one run and 10 hits in eight innings.

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Rakuten's Tanaka toils against Orix

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka reacts after teammates complete a double play in the ninth inning of a game against the Orix Buffaloes at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on July 17. The game ended in a 4-4 draw.

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Rakuten's Nagai pitches shutout vs Yokohama

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Satoshi Nagai pitches during a game against the Yokohama BayStars at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on June 13, his first shutout of the season. Nagai earned his fourth win of the season as the Eagles beat the BayStars 4-0.

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Rakuten's Tanaka shuts out Yakult for 6th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka (R) celebrates pitching his team out of a jam after striking out three batters in a row in the seventh inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on May 20. The Eagles won 2-0.

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Rakuten's Tanaka shuts out Yakult for 6th win

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka acknowledges cheers from fans with fireworks starting behind him at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on May 20. Tanaka pitched a two-hitter for his third shutout of the season, leading his team to a 2-0 win over the Yakult Swallows.

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Yakult pitcher Ishikawa earns 6th win, top in CL

SENDAI, Japan - Yakult Swallows ace Masanori Ishikawa pitches against the Rakuten Eagles during an interleague game at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on May 19. Ishikawa earned his sixth win to lead the Central League's ranking of most winning pitchers as Yakult beat Rakuten 7-3.

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Tanaka picks up 5th win as Rakuten beat Fighters

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on May 13. Tanaka tossed three-run ball over seven innings en route to winning his fifth straight start as the Eagles beat the Fighters 7-3.

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Nippon Ham's Yagi beats Eagles

SENDAI, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Tomoya Yagi pitches against the Rakuten Eagles at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on May 12. Yagi earned his third win of the season giving up only one run in nine full innings. The Fighters won 8-1.

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Marines Iguchi hits 2-run double

SENDAI, Japan - Lotte Marines slugger Tadahito Iguchi hits a two-run double to left in the sixth inning of a game against the Rakuten Eagles at Kleenex Stadium in Sendai on April 23. Marines won 5-2.