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Yomiuri hurler Sugano named Central League's 2014 MVP

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014, after being named this year's most valuable player of the Central League at the Japanese professional baseball league's award-giving event.

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Lotte hurler Ishikawa wins Pacific League rookie award

TOKYO, Japan - Lotte Marines pitcher Ayumu Ishikawa delivers a speech after being named the Pacific League's Rookie of the Year at the Japanese professional baseball league's award-giving event in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014.

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Orix hurler Kanko wins Pacific League's 2014 MVP award

TOKYO, Japan - Orix Buffaloes pitcher Chihiro Kaneko speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014, after being named this year's most valuable player of the Pacific League at the Japanese professional baseball league's award-giving event.

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Hiroshima hurler Osera wins Central League rookie award

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshima Carp pitcher Daichi Osera delivers a speech after being named the Central League's Rookie of the Year at the Japanese professional baseball league's award-giving event in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014.

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Pitchers Osera in CL, Ishikawa in PL win rookie titles

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshima Carp hurler Daichi Osera (L) and Lotte Marines pitcher Ayumu Ishikawa win this year's Rookie of the Year awards in the Central and Pacific leagues, respectively, at the Japanese professional baseball league's award ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014.

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Pitchers Sugano in CL, Kaneko in PL named 2014 MVPs

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (L) and Orix Buffaloes hurler Chihiro Kaneko pose after being named this year's most valuable players in the Central and Pacific leagues, respectively, at the Japanese professional baseball league's award ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014.

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Veteran pro hurler Yamamoto, 49, to continue career

NAGOYA, Japan - Masa Yamamoto, a Chunichi Dragons pitcher who turns 50 years old in 2015, pledges to continue his professional baseball career next year at a Japan National Press Club news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2014. He rewrote a Japanese pro baseball record for the oldest active winning hurler this season.

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MLB people commend Hiroshima hurler Maeda

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda throws a pitch at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 12, 2014, in the first in a series of games between Japanese and U.S. professional baseball players. Maeda pitched five shutout innings to lead Samurai Japan to a 2-0 win over the Major League Baseball All-Sar team, winning acclaim from the MLB people concerned.

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Mariners' Iwakuma heads amateur ball club for post-quake recovery

TOKYO, Japan - Seattle Mariners Japanese hurler Hisashi Iwakuma assumes the post of general manager of an amateur baseball team launched in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, to help the northeastern Japan region recover from the 2011 disaster through "the power of baseball" at a ceremony held in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2014.

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Yankees hurler Tanaka throws 35 test pitches

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka of Japan, who aims to return to the mound in September after being sidelined early last month due to an elbow injury, throws 35 pitches in two simulated innings against his teammates at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 23, 2014.

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Yankees hurler Tanaka throws 35 test pitches

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka of Japan, who aims to return to the mound in September following his elbow injury early last month, serves as a batting-practice pitcher at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 23, 2014, throwing 35 pitches in two simulated innings.

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Yankees manager says hurler Tanaka put on DL

CLEVELAND, United States - New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi on July 9, 2014, in Cleveland, Ohio, tells reporters right-hander Masahiro Tanaka was placed on the disabled list.

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Former Yankees hurler Igawa joins Orix

OSAKA, Japan - Former New York Yankees left-hander Kei Igawa smiles at a press conference at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on March 28, 2012. The Orix Buffaloes the same day announced the acquisition of Igawa.

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Former Yankees hurler Igawa joins Orix

OSAKA, Japan - Former New York Yankees left-hander Kei Igawa (L) shakes hands with Yoshio Murayama, head of Orix Buffaloes' team operations, at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on March 28, 2012. The baseball team the same day announced the acquisition of Igawa.

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Japanese MLB players take it easy

NEW YORK, United States - New York Mets pitcher Hisanori Takahashi (R) and Atlanta Braves hurler Takashi Saito, both from Japan, chat before a game at Citi Field in New York on April 23, 2010. Takahashi earned his first major league win in the team's 5-2 victory the same day.

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Yakult veteran hurler Kida pitches out of jam

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows veteran hurler Masao Kida celebrates after grounding Hanshin Tigers infielder Takashi Toritani out to second and pitching his team out of a jam in the eighth inning of their game at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on May 7.

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Baltimore pitcher Uehara recovers from thigh injury

FORT LAUDERDALE, United States - Baltimore Orioles hurler Koji Uehara stretches during a workout in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 16. Uehara, in his first year in the major leagues, began sprinting for the first time since suffering a left-thigh injury earlier this month.

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Baltimore pitcher Uehara recovers from thigh injury

FORT LAUDERDALE, United States - Baltimore Orioles hurler Koji Uehara stretches during a workout in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 16. Uehara, in his first year in the major leagues, began sprinting for the first time since suffering a left-thigh injury earlier this month.

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Los Angeles hurler Kuroda starts exhbn match with Chicago

GLENDALE, United States - Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda of Japan pitches a ball during an exhibition game with the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Arizona, on March 1. Starter Kuroda allowed no runs and one hit in two innings.

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Los Angeles hurler Kuroda starts exhbn match with Chicago

GLENDALE, United States - Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda of Japan pitches a ball during an exhibition game with the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Arizona, on March 1. Starter Kuroda allowed no runs and one hit in two innings.

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Darvish helps Nippon Ham win 2nd stage opener

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters hurler Yu Darvish pitched a complete game to beat the Lotte Marines 5-2 in the second stage opener of the Pacific League Climax Series at Sapporo Dome on Oct. 13.

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Matsuzaka gets 15th win, Red Sox clinch AL East title

BOSTON, United States - An elated Boston Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka showers fans with champagne at Fenway Park after the club clinched their first American League East title in 12 years on Sept. 28. Matsuzaka threw eight sharp innings to pick up win No. 15 in his rookie season as the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2. (MLB)

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Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka waves to the fans after achieving his 1,000th career hit with a three-run homer off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2.

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Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka waves to the fans after achieving his 1,000th career hit with a three-run homer off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2.

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Darvish posts season's first victory

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters hurler Yu Darvish smiles with catcher Shinji Takahashi after going the distance to log the season's first victory in the team's 3-2 win over the Softbank Hawks at Yahoo Dome on April 7.

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Matsuzaka in preseason practice

FORTMYERS, United States - Boston Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka practices pitching at a preseason camp in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 14. (MLB)

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MLB overpower Japan All-Star team to win series

TOKYO, Japan - Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard watches the ball after hitting a three-run homer off Yomiuri Giants hurler Yuya Kubo in the seventh inning as the major leaguers routed the Japan All-Star team 11-4 to claim victory in a five-game exhibition series with their third win in a row at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 5. (MLB)

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Waseda Jitsugyo wins 1st national high school title

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Waseda Jitsugyo's ace hurler Yuki Saito reacts after leading the team to a 4-3 victory over Komadai Tomakomai to clinch its first national high school baseball championship title at Koshien Stadium on Aug. 21.

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Guttormson pitches no-hitter in Yakult victory

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows hurler Rick Guttormson, joined by manager Atsuya Furuta, poses for photo after becoming the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the history of interleague play in Japanese baseball at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on May 25.

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Tatsunami nails game-ending grand slam

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons infielder Kazuyoshi Tatsunami belts a game-ending grand slam off Yomiuri Giants ace hurler Koji Uehara with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the team to a 5-1 win at Nagoya Dome on April 7.

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Japan beats Cuba to win World Baseball Classic

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) bursts into laughter as his manager Sadaharu Oh speaks at a press conference after the team became the inaugural World Baseball Classic champion with a 10-6 victory over Cuba at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20. Matsuzaka who notched three wins in the championship was named MVP.

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Japan beats Cuba to win World Baseball Classic

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan pinch hitter Kosuke Fukudome hits a two-run single to the left with the bases loaded with one out off Team Cuba relief hurler Yunieski Maya in the top of the ninth inning of their World Baseball Classic final at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20. Japan beat Cuba 10-6 to clinch the champion.

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Japan beats Cuba to win World Baseball Classic

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan outfielder Ichiro Suzuki hits an RBI single to the right with the first and second bases loaded with one out off Team Cuba relief hurler Adiel Palma in the top of the ninth inning of their World Baseball Classic final at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20. Japan beat Cuba 10-6 to clinch the champion.

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Japan vs Cuba final

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan outfielder Hitoshi Tamura is hit in the elbow by Team Cuba hurler Vicyohardry Odelin with the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning of the their World Baseball Classic final at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20.

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Japan vs Cuba final

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan infielder Toshiaki Imae reacts on the first base after hitting a two-run single to the center off Team Cuba hurler Vicyohardry Odelin with the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the first inning of their World Baseball Classic final at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20.

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Japan tune up for WBC final

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan hurler Shunsuke Watanabe practices pitching at PETCO Park on March 19 on the eve of the World Baseball Classic final against Team Cuba on March 20.

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Japan vs Cuba final

SAN DIEGO, United States - Team Japan infielder Toshiaki Imae hits a two-run single to the center off Team Cuba hurler Vicyohardry Odelin with the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the first inning of their World Baseball Classic final at PETCO Park in San Diego, California, on March 20.

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Team Japan braces up for 2nd-round WBC game

ANAHEIM, United States - Team Japan hurler Koji Uehara (C) look relaxed during the team practice at Angels Stadium on March 11 on the eve of its World Baseball Classic second-round game against the United States.

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Lotte secures spot in Asia Series final

TOKYO, Japan - Lotte Marines ace hurler Naoyuki Shimizu pitches seven strong innings to help the Lotte Marines earn a spot in the Asia Series final with a 12-1 rout of the Sinon Bulls of Taiwan at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 11.

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(7)MLB All-Stars Game 8

TOKYO, Japan - Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yomiuri Giants hurler Koji Uehara, both known to be keen on playing in the major league, chats after the Japanese All-Star team was shut out 5-0 by the major league selection in their final exhibition game at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 14. (MLB)

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(1)Cabrera grand slam gives Seibu Japan Series lead

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Alex Cabrera jumps in celebration after hit a tiebreaking outside-the-park grand slam off relief hurler Shinya Okamoto in the seventh inning as the Seibu Lions beat the Chunichi Dragons 10-8 in a seesaw battle in Game 3 of the Japan Series at Seibu Dome on Oct. 19.

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(1)Dragons vs Lions in Japan Series Game One

NAGOYA, Japan - Seibu Lions outfielder Kazuhiro Wada watches the ball after slamming a solo home run off Chunichi Dragons ace hurler Kenshin Kawakami in the top of the fourth inning of Game One of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 16.

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(2)Dragons vs Lions in Japan Series Game One

NAGOYA, Japan - Seibu Lions outfielder Kazuhiro Wada (2nd from L) is greeted by manager Tsutomu Ito (3rd from R) after hitting a solo homer off Chunichi Dragons hurler Kenshin Kawakami in the top of the fourth inning of Game One of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 16.

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(4)Baseball fans gather at autograph sessions

NAGOYA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants ace hurler Koji Uehara delivers his autographs to fans at Nagoya Dome on Sept. 19, the second day of the first-ever strike by Japanese pro ball players.

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(4)Japanese preseason baseball games

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Lee Seung Yeop of the Chiba Lotte Marines is struck out twice by Seibu Lions ace hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka at Seibu Dome on March 14.

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(3)Japanese major leaguers in preseason training

VIERA, United States - Montreal Expos hurler Tomokazu Ohka practices pitching during his preseason training at Viera, Florida, on Feb. 21. (MLB)

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Takahashi hits two home runs

OSAKA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants outfielder Yoshinobu Takahashi watches the ball after hitting a two-run homer off Fukuoka Daiei Hawks hurler Kazumi Saito in the bottom of the seventh inning of the All-Star Game One at Osaka Dome on July 15. Takahashi hit his game-tying second homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as the game ended in a 4-4 draw.

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Matsui hitless against Blue Jays' Halladay

TORONTO, Canada - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui grounded out three times in his first three at-bats against Toronto Blue Jays ace hurler Roy Halladay at SkyDome on July 12. Matsui managed to single to left off reliever Juan Acevedo in his last at-bat in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays overpowered the Yankees 10-3. (MLB)

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Nakahata, Ono, Takagi named coaches for 2004 Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Former Hiroshima Carp hurler Yutaka Ono (L), former Yomiuri Giants player Kiyoshi Nakahata (2nd from R) and former Yokohama Taiyo Whales player Yutaka Takagi (R) pose with Shigeo Nagashima (2nd from L), manager of Japan's national baseball team for the Athens Olympics, in Tokyo on July 8 after being named coaches for the team.

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Nomo practices pitching

VERO BEACH, United States - Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo practices pitching during his team's spring camp at Bero Beach, Florida on feb. 14. (MLB)