History of Hanshin Tigers in Timeline

The Hanshin Tigers are a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League. They are based in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, and play their home games at Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The Tigers are a significant part of Japanese baseball culture, known for their passionate fanbase and historic stadium.

1924: Construction of Koshien Stadium

In 1924, Koshien Stadium, the oldest ballpark in Japan, was built.

1934: Babe Ruth's Visit to Koshien Stadium

In 1934, American baseball legend Babe Ruth visited Koshien Stadium during a tour of Major League stars. There is a monument commemorating this visit within the stadium grounds, in an area called Mizuno Square.

December 10, 1935: Hanshin Tigers Founded

On December 10, 1935, the Hanshin Tigers, the second-oldest professional club in Japan, were founded, setting the stage for their formation in 1936.

1936: First Season as Osaka Tigers

In 1936, the Hanshin Tigers played their first season as the Osaka Tigers, marking the beginning of their professional baseball journey.

1940: Name Change to Hanshin

In 1940, amid anti-foreign sentiment and a ban on English nicknames, the Tigers changed their name to simply Hanshin.

1944: Season Cut Short

The 1944 Japanese Baseball League season was cut short due to the ongoing war (World War II).

1945: Season Cancelled

The 1945 Japanese Baseball League season was cancelled due to the ongoing war (World War II) with many players being enlisted to fight.

1947: Reversion to Ōsaka Tigers

In 1947, after the JPBL permitted the use of English nicknames, the team reverted to being called the Ōsaka Tigers.

1950: Establishment of Two-League System

In 1950, the league was split into the Central League and Pacific League.

1961: Name Change to Hanshin Tigers

In 1961, the team assumed its current name, Hanshin Tigers, due to playing in Nishinomiya, not in Osaka Prefecture.

1962: Central League Pennant Win

In 1962, the Tigers won the Central League pennant, marking one of their six pennant wins since the league split.

1964: Central League Pennant Win

In 1964, the Tigers won the Central League pennant, marking one of their six pennant wins since the league split.

1985: First Appearance of To Lucky

In 1985, To Lucky (Torakkii) first appeared. He entertains spectators at team games with his girlfriend Lucky.

1985: To Lucky's First Appearance

In 1985, To Lucky's first appearance was on the screen at Hanshin Koshien Stadium.

1985: Central League Pennant and Japan Series Win

In 1985, the Tigers won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series, marking a significant achievement in their history.

1985: Central League Pennant Win and Dōtonbori Canal Incident

In 1985, upon winning the Central League pennant, fans threw a Colonel Sanders statue into the Dōtonbori Canal, leading to a supposed curse.

1987: Live-Action Appearance of To Lucky

In 1987, To Lucky appeared as a live-action character.

1992: Design Update for To Lucky

In 1992, the design for To Lucky was updated.

2003: Return to Japan Series

In 2003, the Tigers returned to the Japan Series after 18 years with the best record in the Central League.

2003: Central League Pennant Win

In 2003, the Tigers won the Central League pennant, marking one of their six pennant wins since the league split.

2003: Colonel Sanders Statues Moved Indoors

In 2003, when the Tigers returned to the Japan Series after 18 years, many KFC outlets in Kōbe and Ōsaka moved their Colonel Sanders statues inside until the series was over to protect them from Tigers fans.

2004: Exhibition Game Win Against New York Yankees

In 2004, the Tigers played an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at the Tokyo Dome on March 29, winning 11–7.

2005: Japan Series Appearance and Loss

In 2005, the Tigers clinched the pennant and made it back to the Japan Series, but lost to Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines. They were outscored 33–4 in four games.

2005: Attendance Exceeds Three Million

In 2005, the Tigers were one of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams to have more than three million people attending games hosted by the Tigers.

2005: Central League Pennant Win

In 2005, the Tigers won the Central League pennant, marking one of their six pennant wins since the league split.

2006: Attendance Exceeds Three Million

In 2006, the Tigers were one of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams to have more than three million people attending games hosted by the Tigers.

2007: Attendance Exceeds Three Million

In 2007, the Tigers were one of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams to have more than three million people attending games hosted by the Tigers.

March 10, 2009: Recovery of Colonel Sanders Statue

On March 10, 2009, the top half of the Colonel Sanders statue (excluding both hands) was finally recovered, and the bottom half and right hand shortly after, in the canal.

2009: Attendance Exceeds Three Million

In 2009, the Tigers were one of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams to have more than three million people attending games hosted by the Tigers.

2011: Introduction of Keeta

In 2011, Keeta (キー太), Lucky's little brother, was introduced to the Tigers and his uniform number is 2011. He wears a backwards cap.

2011: Average Home Attendance

In 2011, the Hanshin Tigers recorded 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 in 5 games.

2020: Nippon Professional Baseball Season Cut Short

In 2020, the Nippon Professional Baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: Japan Series Win

In 2023, the Hanshin Tigers defeated the rival Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series four games to three, breaking the curse.

2023: Central League Pennant and Japan Series Win

In 2023, the Tigers won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series, marking a significant achievement in their history.

2025: Exhibition Game Wins Against MLB Teams

In 2025, prior to the Major League Baseball series in Tokyo, the Tigers played exhibition games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, winning both with consecutive shutouts.