Japan vs. China in WBC

Japan vs. China in WBC

FUKUOKA, Japan - Japan pitcher Tetsuya Yamaguchi takes the mound in the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic first-round game against China at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2013. Japan won 5-2.

Giants beat Tigers

Giants beat Tigers

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Tetsuya Yamaguchi of the Yomiuri Giants pitches against the Hanshin Tigers during Game 2 of the Central League Climax Series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on Oct. 17, 2010. The Giants won 7-6, advancing to the CLCS final stage where they will face the CL champion Chunichi Dragons in Nagoya.

Kintetsu, Orix agreed on merger in May

Kintetsu, Orix agreed on merger in May

OSAKA, Japan - Masanori Yamaguchi (foreground), president of Kinki Nippon Railway Co. which owns the rights to the Kintetsu Buffaloes, and Tetsuya Kobayashi, president of the Pacific League baseball club, speak at a press conference at a hotel in Osaka on June 13 about a merger between the Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave, another baseball club in the Pacific League.

Giants beat Tigers

Giants beat Tigers

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Tetsuya Yamaguchi of the Yomiuri Giants pitches against the Hanshin Tigers during Game 2 of the Central League Climax Series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on Oct. 17, 2010. The Giants won 7-6, advancing to the CLCS final stage where they will face the CL champion Chunichi Dragons in Nagoya. (Kyodo)

Kintetsu, Orix agreed on merger in May

Kintetsu, Orix agreed on merger in May

OSAKA, Japan - Masanori Yamaguchi (foreground), president of Kinki Nippon Railway Co. which owns the rights to the Kintetsu Buffaloes, and Tetsuya Kobayashi, president of the Pacific League baseball club, speak at a press conference at a hotel in Osaka on June 13 about a merger between the Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave, another baseball club in the Pacific League. (Kyodo)