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 their home stadium is Hanshin Koshien Stadium. They are a significant sports entity within Japan's professional baseball landscape.

1924: Koshien Stadium Built

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

1934: Babe Ruth's Visit

In 1934, American baseball legend Babe Ruth visited Koshien Stadium as part of a tour of Major League stars.

December 10, 1935: Hanshin Tigers Founded

On December 10, 1935, the Hanshin Tigers, the second-oldest professional club in Japan, were founded.

1936: First season as Osaka Tigers

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

1936: Team Formation

In 1936, the Hanshin Tigers team was formed, originally named the Ōsaka Tigers.

1940: Name change to Hanshin

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

1944: Season cut short

In 1944, the Japanese Baseball League season was cut short due to World War II.

1945: Season cancelled

In 1945, the Japanese Baseball League season was cancelled due to World War II.

1947: Reverted to Osaka Tigers

In 1947, the team reverted to the name Ōsaka Tigers after the JPBL mandated English nicknames.

1950: Establishment of the two-league system

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

1961: Assumed current team name

In 1961, the Osaka Tigers assumed their current team name, the Hanshin Tigers.

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's first appearance

In 1985, To Lucky (Torakkii) a mascot character of the Tigers, made his first appearance, resulting in his uniform number being 1985.

1985: First Appearance on Screen

In 1985, To Lucky made his first appearance on the screen at Hanshin Koshien Stadium.

1985: Dōtonbori Canal Incident

In 1985, after the Tigers clinched the Central League pennant, fans threw a statue of Colonel Sanders into the Dōtonbori Canal, leading to a supposed curse.

1985: Central League pennant and Japan Series win

In 1985, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series.

1987: First Live-Action Appearance

In 1987, To Lucky appeared as a live-action character for the first time.

1992: Design Update

In 1992, To Lucky's design was updated.

2003: Central League pennant

In 2003, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant.

2003: Pennant and Japan Series

In 2003, they clinched the pennant and made it back to the Japan Series after 18 years

2003: Colonel Sanders statues moved inside

In 2003, when the Tigers reached the Japan Series after 18 years, many KFC outlets moved their Colonel Sanders statues inside to protect them from fans.

2004: Exhibition game against the New York Yankees

In 2004, the Hanshin Tigers played an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at the Tokyo Dome on March 29 and won with a score of 11–7.

2005: Attendance milestone

In 2005, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Hanshin Tigers.

2005: Japan Series Appearance

In 2005, the Hanshin Tigers clinched the pennant and made it back to the Japan Series, but lost to the Chiba Lotte Marines.

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 Hanshin Tigers.

2007: Attendance milestone

In 2007, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Hanshin Tigers.

March 10, 2009: Recovery of Colonel Sanders statue

On March 10, 2009, the top half of the Colonel Sanders statue was recovered from the Dōtonbori Canal.

2009: Attendance milestone

In 2009, more than three million people attended games hosted by the Hanshin Tigers.

2011: Introduction of Keeta

In 2011, Keeta, Lucky's little brother, was introduced as a mascot of the Tigers, receiving the uniform number 2011.

2011: 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

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 Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series, marking the breaking of the curse.

2023: Central League pennant and Japan Series win

In 2023, the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series.

2025: Exhibition games against MLB clubs

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