History of Orix Buffaloes in Timeline

The Orix Buffaloes are a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team created in 2004 through the merger of the Orix BlueWave and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. They compete in the Pacific League and are owned by Orix, a financial services company. The BlueWave were based in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, while the Buffaloes were based in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture.

1936: Franchise Founding

In 1936, the franchise that became the Orix Buffaloes was founded as Osaka Hankyu Baseball Club by Hanshin Kyuko Railway Company.

1957: Ichizo Kobayashi's decree

In 1957, prior to Hankyu founder Ichizo Kobayashi's death, he decreed that under any circumstances, Hankyu must never sell the Braves and the Takarazuka Revue.

1967: Pacific League Pennant Win

In 1967, the Hankyu Braves won the Pacific League pennant, marking the beginning of a dominant era for the team.

1972: Pacific League Pennant Win

In 1972, the Hankyu Braves won the Pacific League pennant for the fifth time since 1967, continuing their dominance in the league.

1975: Japan Series Win

In 1975, the Hankyu Braves won the Japan Series, marking their first championship victory.

1976: Japan Series Win

In 1976, led by manager Toshiharu Ueda, the Hankyu Braves won the Japan Series, defeating the Tokyo Giants.

1977: Japan Series Win

In 1977, the Hankyu Braves, again under manager Toshiharu Ueda, won the Japan Series, completing a three-year championship run.

1984: Japan Series Loss

In 1984, the Hankyu Braves won the Pacific League pennant but lost the Japan Series to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in seven games.

October 19, 1988: Franchise Sale to Orient Lease

On October 19, 1988, Hankyu Railway sold the Hankyu Braves franchise to Orient Lease, later known as Orix Group, marking a significant change in ownership.

1989: Orient Lease name change

In 1989, Orient Lease changed its name to Orix Group.

1991: Team moved to Kobe and became the Orix BlueWave

In 1991, the team moved to Kobe and became the Orix BlueWave, marking a shift in the team's identity and location.

1995: Pacific League Pennant Win

In 1995, led by Ichiro Suzuki, the Orix BlueWave won the Pacific League pennant.

1996: Pacific League Pennant and Japan Series Win

In 1996, the Orix BlueWave, led by Ichiro Suzuki, won both the Pacific League pennant and the Japan Series.

1996: First Japan Series appearance since 1996.

In 2021, after two seasons of finishing last, the Buffaloes finished first in the Pacific League with a record of 70–55–18 and made their first Japan Series appearance since 1996.

2001: Ichiro Suzuki moves to Seattle Mariners

In 2001, Ichiro Suzuki moved to the Seattle Mariners and led the Mariners to a 116 win season, the most wins by an American League team.

2004: BlueWave Merge

Following the 2004 Nippon Professional Baseball realignment, the BlueWave merged with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes.

2004: Nippon Professional Baseball Realignment

In 2004, the Orix Buffaloes were formed as a result of the Nippon Professional Baseball realignment, merging the Orix BlueWave and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes.

2005: Post-Merger Struggles

From 2005 to 2013, the merged team struggled, finishing in the top half of the Pacific League only once.

2005: Theme Song Introduction

In 2005, "Sky" by Mega Stopper became the Buffaloes' theme song, with another version performed by BsGirls.

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2005: Combined Team Begins Play

In 2005, the merged Orix Buffaloes team began playing, splitting home games between Kyocera Dome Osaka and Kobe Sports Park Baseball Stadium.

2008: Pacific League Second Place Finish

In 2008, The Buffaloes finished second in the Pacific League, with a record of 75–68–1 but were swept in the first stage of the Climax Series.

2013: Post-Merger Struggles

From 2005 to 2013, the merged team struggled, finishing in the top half of the Pacific League only once.

2021: Pacific League First Place Finish

In 2021, after two seasons of finishing last, the Buffaloes finished first in the Pacific League with a record of 70–55–18 and made their first Japan Series appearance since 1996.

2022: Pacific League Championship and Japan Series Win

In 2022, the Buffaloes finished 1st in the Pacific League and defeated the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Japan Series, after Masataka Yoshida requested to be posted to MLB.

2022: All-Time Record

Through 2022, the club's all-time record is 5,543–5,297–410 (.511).

2023: Third Straight Pacific League Pennant

In 2023, the Buffaloes achieved an 86-53-4 record, securing their third consecutive Pacific League pennant, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto winning his 3rd consecutive Triple Crown.