Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

SoftBank Hawks outfielder Kensuke Kondo takes batting practice during Japanese national baseball team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 15, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March.

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

SoftBank Hawks chairman and Nippon Professional Baseball all-time home run king Sadaharu Oh (L) waves to fans during a parade in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 24, 2025, after the Pacific League team clinched the Japan Series title for the 2025 season.

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

SoftBank Hawks players take part in a parade in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 24, 2025, after clinching the Japan Series baseball title for the 2025 season.

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

SoftBank Hawks players take part in a parade in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 24, 2025, after clinching the Japan Series baseball title for the 2025 season.

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

SoftBank Hawks players take part in a parade in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 24, 2025, after clinching the Japan Series baseball title for the 2025 season.

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

Celebratory parade by Japan Series champ Hawks

SoftBank Hawks players take part in a parade in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 24, 2025, after clinching the Japan Series baseball title for the 2025 season.

Memorial ceremony for Japanese baseball legend Nagashima

Memorial ceremony for Japanese baseball legend Nagashima

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and SoftBank Hawks Chairman Sadaharu Oh delivers a eulogy at a memorial ceremony held at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2025, for Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, the former Yomiuri Giants star player and manager who died in June.

Order of Culture Award

Order of Culture Award

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh attends a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, after receiving the Order of Culture, Japan's top cultural award, at an Imperial Palace ceremony.

Order of Culture Award

Order of Culture Award

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh (R) receives the Order of Culture, Japan's top cultural award, from Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025. (Pool photo)

Order of Culture Award

Order of Culture Award

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh attends a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, after receiving the Order of Culture, Japan's top cultural award, at an Imperial Palace ceremony.

Order of Culture Award

Order of Culture Award

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh attends a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, after receiving the Order of Culture, Japan's top cultural award, at an Imperial Palace ceremony.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after winning the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after winning the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players pose after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players wave to fans after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players high-five after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players high-five after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players high-five after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

Baseball: PL Climax Series final stage

SoftBank Hawks players high-five after winning the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 20, 2025.

Bargain sales after Hawks' Pacific League pennant win

Bargain sales after Hawks' Pacific League pennant win

A Daimaru department store in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, kicks off a three-day bargain sale on Sept. 28, 2025, after the local SoftBank Hawks pro baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season the previous day.

Bargain sales after Hawks' Pacific League pennant win

Bargain sales after Hawks' Pacific League pennant win

A Daimaru department store in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, kicks off a three-day bargain sale on Sept. 28, 2025, after the local SoftBank Hawks pro baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season the previous day.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

TOKYO, Japan, June 26 Kyodo - Japanese pro baseball home run king and SoftBank Hawks Chairman Sadaharu Oh holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 26, 2025, to announce the launch of Kyushinkai, a new organization aimed at boosting baseball's popularity. The organization will also support his "Beyond Oh Project," designed to produce global sports heroes from Japan, according to Oh, who will work with 2023 World Baseball Classic manager Hideki Kuriyama. (Kyodo)

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

Japanese pro baseball home run king and SoftBank Hawks Chairman Sadaharu Oh holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 26, 2025, to announce the launch of Kyushinkai, a new organization aimed at boosting baseball's popularity. The organization will also support his "Beyond Oh Project," designed to produce global sports heroes from Japan, according to Oh.

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

Japanese pro baseball home run king and SoftBank Hawks Chairman Sadaharu Oh (R) holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 26, 2025, to announce the launch of Kyushinkai, a new organization aimed at boosting baseball's popularity. The organization will also support his "Beyond Oh Project," designed to produce global sports heroes from Japan, according to Oh, who will work with 2023 World Baseball Classic manager Hideki Kuriyama (L).

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

All-time home run king Oh launches new organization for Japan sports

Japanese pro baseball home run king and SoftBank Hawks Chairman Sadaharu Oh (R) holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 26, 2025, to announce the launch of Kyushinkai, a new organization aimed at boosting baseball's popularity. The organization will also support his "Beyond Oh Project," designed to produce global sports heroes from Japan, according to Oh, who will work with 2023 World Baseball Classic manager Hideki Kuriyama (L).

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh meets the press in Tokyo on June 3, 2025, after former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh meets the press in Tokyo on June 3, 2025, after former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh is pictured after making a condolence visit to the late Shigeo Nagashima's home at an unidentified location on June 3, 2025, after the Japanese baseball legend, a former Yomiuri Giants third baseman and manager, died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh makes a condolence visit to the late Shigeo Nagashima's home at an unidentified location on June 3, 2025, after the Japanese baseball legend, a former Yomiuri Giants third baseman and manager, died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh meets the press in Tokyo on June 3, 2025, after former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh meets the press in Tokyo on June 3, 2025, after former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run king and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks Sadaharu Oh meets the press in Tokyo on June 3, 2025, after former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima died aged 89 earlier in the day. Nagashima and Oh led the Giants to nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973.

Baseball: SoftBank Hawks pitcher Wada retires

Baseball: SoftBank Hawks pitcher Wada retires

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada (L) receives a bouquet from the club's chairman Sadaharu Oh during a ceremony marking his retirement from professional baseball at Mizuho PayPay Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 15, 2025.

Baseball: NPB spring training

Baseball: NPB spring training

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa throws a bullpen session during the club's spring training on Feb. 16, 2025, in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan.

Baseball: Ichiro joins Japan Hall of Fame

Baseball: Ichiro joins Japan Hall of Fame

Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (L) poses for a photo with Sadaharu Oh, Japanese pro baseball's all-time home run leader and chairman of the SoftBank Hawks, at Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2025. Suzuki was announced as one of 2025's new inductees earlier in the day. (Pool photo)