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Retired Yanagisawa, Nakata pose with Ogasawara

SENDAI, Japan - Atsushi Yanagisawa (L) of Vegalta Sendai and Koji Nakata (R) of Kashima Antlers, both former Japan internationals, pose with Mitsuo Ogasawara of Kashima after a charity soccer match at the Yurtec Stadium Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture on Dec. 14, 2014. Yanagisawa and Nakata called it quits as active players at the end of this season.

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Ex-Japan int'l Yanagisawa, others play charity soccer

SENDAI, Japan - Former Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa (3rd from R, back) of Vegalta Sendai and other retired and active J-League players pose with children on the occasion of a charity soccer game held in support of people affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster at the Yurtec Stadium Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2014.

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Oh faces Enatsu in Giants-Tigers old timers' game

SENDAI, Japan - Former Yomiuri Giants legendary slugger Sadaharu Oh (at bat) and Yutaka Enatsu of the Hanshin Tigers face off during an old timers' game between the popular Japanese professional baseball clubs at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Nov. 16, 2014.

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Kakefu hits single from Egawa in Giants-Tigers old timers' game

SENDAI, Japan - Former Hanshin Tigers slugger Masayuki Kakefu hits a single from his old nemesis former Yomiuri Giants ace Suguru Egawa during an old timers' game between the popular Japanese professional baseball clubs at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Nov. 16, 2014.

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Matsui hits 2-bagger in Giants-Tigers old timers' game

SENDAI, Japan - Former Yomiuri Giants star slugger Hideki Matsui hits a double in an old-timers' game between the Giants and the Hanshin Tigers at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 16, 2014.

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Oh, Matsui participate in Giants-Tigers old timers' game

SENDAI, Japan - Former Yomiuri Giants legends Sadaharu Oh (L) and Hideki Matsui shake hands at an old-timers' game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 16, 2014.

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Matsui plays in Giants-Tigers old timers' game

SENDAI, Japan - Former Yomiuri Giants star slugger Hideki Matsui comes up at bat during an old-timers' game between the Giants and the Hanshin Tigers at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 16, 2014.

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Rakuten skipper Hoshino bids farewell to fans

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles manager Senichi Hoshino acknowledges the cheering of the fans at Sendai's Kobo Stadium Miyagi, northeastern Japan, after the final game of the season on Oct. 7, 2014. Hoshino announced in September he would resign at the end of the season.

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Hoshino exchanges starting lineup in final game

SENDAI, Japan - Rakuten Eagles manager Senichi Hoshino and Orix Buffaloes manager Hiroshi Moriwaki (front) exchange the starting lineups for their final game of the season at Sendai's Kobo Stadium Miyagi on Oct. 7, 2014, Hoshino's final game as a team manager.

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Akaminai earns monthly MVP

SENDAI, Japan - Infielder Ginji Akaminai of the Rakuten Eagles talks at a press conference at Kobo Stadium Miyagi, northeastern Japan, on Oct.7, 2014, after winning the Pacific League's Player of the Month Award for the first time in September. He batted .459 in September with six home runs.

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Tokyo Olympics organizer visits Miyagi Stadium

SENDAI, Japan - Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, chairman of the organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, visits the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 16, 2014.

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Tokyo Olympics organizer checks Miyagi Stadium

SENDAI, Japan - Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (2nd from L), chairman of the organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, checks the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Jpana, on June 16, 2014.

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Fire lit at National Stadium before final game

TOKYO, Japan - Tatsuki Kawagoe, a member of the rugby team at Ishinomaki Technical High School in Miyagi Prefecture, lights the Olympic cauldron at the National Stadium in Tokyo on May 25, 2014, before the 2014 Asian Five Nations rugby match between Japan and Hong Kong, the last official sports event at the iconic stadium prior to its upcoming dismantlement. (Pool photo)

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U.S. envoy Kennedy at Kobo Stadium Miyagi

SENDAI, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and her son John Schlossberg are seen smiling after Kennedy threw a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game between Rakuten Eagles and Orix Buffaloes at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 13, 2014.

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Kennedy throws out 1st pitch

SENDAI, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy throws out a ceremonial first pitch in a baseball game between Rakuten and Orix at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 13, 2014.

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U.S. envoy Kennedy with Tohoku kids in Sendai

SENDAI, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy (3rd from L, back row) poses for photos with children invited from six prefectures in northeastern Japan before her ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game between Rakuten Eagles and Orix Buffaloes at Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on May 13, 2014.

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Rakuten unveils new logo for baseball team Eagles' ballpark

TOKYO, Japan - Rakuten Inc. releases in Tokyo on March 13, 2014, a new logo for Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi, the home ballpark of the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles professional baseball club in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Japan forward Keisuke Honda (R) takes a free kick, scoring his team's second goal, in the 72nd minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Japan forward Shinji Kagawa (10) scores in the 54th minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Japan forward Keisuke Honda (R) takes a free kick, scoring his team's second goal, in the 72nd minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Uruguay forward Luis Suarez (L) is challenged by Japan defender Maya Yoshida (C) during the first half of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Uruguay center forward Diego Forlan (L) takes a free kick, scoring his team's second goal, in the 29th minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Uruguay center forward Diego Forlan (L) reacts after scoring a free kick in the 29th minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup soccer international friendly match at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. Uruguay won 4-2.

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Uruguay beat Japan in friendly

RIFU, Japan - Uruguay center forward Diego Forlan (R) reacts after scoring the opener in the 27th minute of the Kirin Challenge Cup international soccer friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2013. At left is Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Uruguay won 4-2.

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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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Sendai half marathon

SENDAI, Japan - Photo shows Japan's Mizuki Noguchi at the award ceremony for the Sendai International Half Marathon at Sendai City Athletic Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 12, 2013, after she won the women's race in a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, 36 seconds. The Athens Olympics marathon gold medalist won her first official race in five years.

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Sendai half marathon

SENDAI, Japan - Athens Olympics marathon gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi of Japan crosses the finish line at Sendai City Athletic Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, to win the women's race of the Sendai International Half Marathon in a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, 36 seconds on May 12, 2013.

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Sendai half marathon

SENDAI, Japan - Kenya's Mekubo Mogusu breaks the finishing tape at Sendai City Athletic Stadium in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 12, 2013, winning the men's race of the Sendai International Half Marathon in 1 hour, 1 minute, 54 seconds.

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Japan draw with New Zealand in U-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Ayaka Michigami (13) heads her team's second goal against New Zealand during the second half of a FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Group A match at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 22, 2012. Japan and New Zealand drew 2-2.

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Japan draw with New Zealand in U-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Ayaka Michigami (13) heads her team's second goal against New Zealand during the second half of a FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Group A match at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 22, 2012. Japan and New Zealand drew 2-2.

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Japan draw with New Zealand in U-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Yoko Tanaka (C) scores her team's first goal against New Zealand, which hit Bridgette Armstrong (2) en route, during the first half of a FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Group A match at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 22, 2012. Japan and New Zealand drew 2-2.

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Japan draw with New Zealand in U-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Yoko Tanaka (L front) scores her team's first goal against New Zealand during the first half of a FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Group A match at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 22, 2012. Japan and New Zealand drew 2-2.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Yoko Tanaka scores the team's fourth goal against Mexico during the second half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Hikaru Naomoto (C back) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal against Mexico during the second half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Kumi Yokoyama scores the team's third goal against Mexico during the second half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Yoko Tanaka scores the team's fourth goal against Mexico during the second half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Hanae Shibata (R front) scores the team's opening goal against Mexico during the first half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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Japan defeat Mexico in Under-20 Women's World Cup

RIFU, Japan - Japan's Hanae Shibata scores the team's opening goal against Mexico during the first half of the Under-20 Women's World Cup at Miyagi Stadium in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture, on Aug. 19, 2012. Japan won 4-1.

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High school footballers from quake-hit areas at Wembley

LONDON, Britain - High school footballers from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, the three northeastern Japanese prefectures hit hard by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, and others pose for photos at London's Wembley Stadium on Nov. 24, 2011. The students' trip was realized after England's Football Association offered to let them use the field for half a day free of charge in a show of support for Japan's reconstruction efforts.

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High school footballers from quake-hit areas leave for Wembley

NARITA, Japan - Sixteen high school footballers from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, the three northeastern prefectures hit hard by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, pose for photos at Narita airport near Tokyo ahead of their departure for London on Nov. 22, 2011, to play matches at the famous Wembley Stadium. The trip was realized after England's Football Association offered to let them use the field for half a day free of charge in a show of support for the reconstruction efforts.

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Major leaguers coach students from Japan disaster areas

BALTIMORE, United States - Junior and senior high school baseball club members from the disaster-hit northeastern Japan prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima get coaching from players of the Baltimore Orioles at the team's home stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Aug. 11, 2011.

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Baseball fans cheer for quake-hit Tohoku High School

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Fans raise a banner (top) to cheer on the marching baseball players of Tohoku High School from quake-hit Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, during the opening ceremony of the national high school baseball invitational tournament at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on March 23, 2011.

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High school invitational at Koshien

KOSHIEN, Japan - Members of the Tohoku High School baseball club, hailing from quake-hit Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, march during the opening ceremony of the national high school baseball invitational tournament at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on March 23, 2011. The traditional baseball event had been on hold following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11.

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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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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.