History of Hanshin Tigers in Timeline
The Hanshin Tigers are a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League. Based in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, they play their home games at the historic Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The team is a part of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, one of the major baseball leagues in Japan.
1924: Koshien Stadium Built
In 1924, Koshien Stadium, the oldest ballpark in Japan, was built.
1934: Babe Ruth Visited Koshien Stadium
In 1934, American baseball legend Babe Ruth visited Koshien Stadium during a tour of Major League stars.
December 10, 1935: Hanshin Tigers Founded
On December 10, 1935, the Hanshin Tigers were founded, marking the beginning of the second-oldest professional baseball club in Japan.
1936: Team Formed
In 1936, the Hanshin Tigers team was formed, initially known as the Ōsaka Tigers.
1940: Name Change to Hanshin
In 1940, amid anti-foreign sentiment and the Tojo government's ban on English nicknames, the Osaka Tigers changed their name to simply Hanshin.
1944: Season Cut Short
The 1944 Japanese Baseball League season was cut short.
1945: Season Cancelled
The 1945 season was cancelled due to World War II.
1947: Reverted to Ōsaka Tigers
In 1947, the team reverted to Ōsaka Tigers after the JPBL mandated English nicknames.
1950: Two-League System Established
In 1950, the two-league system was established in Japanese baseball.
1961: Current Team Name Assumed
In 1961, the team assumed its current name, Hanshin Tigers, due to playing in Nishinomiya.
1962: Central League Pennant
In 1962, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant.
1964: Central League Pennant
In 1964, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant.
1985: To Lucky First Appearance
In 1985, To Lucky (Torakkii), a mascot character of the Tigers, first appeared.
1985: Central League Pennant and Curse
In 1985, after the Tigers clinched the Central League pennant, fans threw a Colonel Sanders statue into the Dōtonbori Canal, leading to a supposed curse.
1987: To Lucky Live-Action Character
In 1987, To Lucky appeared as a live-action character.
2003: Pennant Win and Japan Series Appearance
In 2003, the Hanshin Tigers clinched the pennant and made it back to the Japan Series.
2003: Central League Pennant
In 2003, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant.
2004: Exhibition Game vs. New York Yankees
In 2004, the Hanshin Tigers played an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at the Tokyo Dome on March 29, winning 11–7.
2005: Pennant Win and Japan Series Loss
In 2005, like in 2003, the Hanshin Tigers clinched the pennant and made it back to the Japan Series, but lost to the Chiba Lotte Marines.
2005: Attendance Milestone
In 2005, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Tigers.
2005: Central League Pennant
In 2005, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant.
2006: Attendance Milestone
In 2006, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Tigers.
2007: Attendance Milestone
In 2007, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Tigers.
March 10, 2009: Colonel Sanders Statue Recovered
On March 10, 2009, the top half of the Colonel Sanders statue was recovered from the Dotonbori Canal.
2009: Attendance Milestone
In 2009, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Tigers.
2011: Keeta Introduced
In 2011, Keeta, Lucky's little brother, was introduced as a mascot of the Tigers.
2011: Average Home Attendance
In 2011, the Hanshin Tigers had an average home attendance of 40,256.
2014: Japan Series Appearance
In 2014, the Hanshin Tigers made the Japan Series, but lost to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
2020: Season Cut Short
The 2020 Nippon Professional Baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Japan Series Victory
In 2023, the Hanshin Tigers defeated the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series, breaking the curse.
2023: Central League Pennant and Japan Series
In 2023, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series.
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