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Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
League	Pacific League
Location	Fukuoka
Ballpark	Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome
Year Founded	1938
Nickname(s)	SoftBank (ソフトバンク), Hawks (ホークス), Taka (鷹, hawk), SB
League championships	1946, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1999, 2000, 2003
Japan Series championships	1959, 1964, 1999, 2003
Former name(s)	Nankai (1938-1944), Kinki Nihon (1944), Kinki Great Ring (1946-1947), Nankai Hawks (1947-1988), Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (1989-2004)
Colors	Yellow and black
Uniforms
Home	Away

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (福岡ソフトバンクホークス, Fukuoka Sofutobanku Hōkusu^?) are a Japanese baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The team was bought on January 28, 2005 by SoftBank Corporation. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Pacific League (パシフィック・リーグ Pashifikku Riigu) is one of Japans two major professional baseball leagues (the other is the Central League). ... This article is about a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. ... Fukuoka Dome (福岡ドーム) is a baseball field located in Fukuoka, Japan. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Genera Accipiter Micronisus Melierax Urotriorchis Erythrotriorchis The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses: Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 7 - President Harry S. Truman announces the United States has developed a hydrogen bomb. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... This article is about the year. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Yomiuri Giants have won twenty Japan Series, more than any other team. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... This article is about the year. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Kit_baseball_cap. ... Image File history File links For use with Template:Football kit File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links For use with Template:Football kit File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Kit_trousers. ... Image File history File links Kit_baseball_socks. ... Image File history File links Kit_baseball_cap. ... Image File history File links Kit_left_arm_white_hoops. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links Kit_right_arm_white_hoops. ... Image File history File links Kit_trousers. ... Image File history File links Kit_baseball_socks. ... This article is about a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. ... Fukuoka Prefecture ) is located on KyÅ«shÅ« Island, Japan. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Softbank (Japanese: ソフトバンク) (TYO: 9984) is a Japanese corporation involved in electronic commerce on the Internet and broadband. ...

It was formerly known as Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. In 1988, Daiei bought the team from Osaka's Nankai Electric Railway Co., and its headquarters was moved to Fukuoka. The Daiei Hawks won the Pacific League championship in 1999, 2000 and 2003 and won the Japan Series in 1999 and 2003. Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, please see Daiei (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Osaka (disambiguation). ... rapi:t train (50000 series) Nankai Namba Station & Takashimaya Osaka Department Store Nankai Electric Railway Co. ... The Pacific League (パシフィック・リーグ Pashifikku Riigu) is one of Japans two major professional baseball leagues (the other is the Central League). ...

History

Under the Ownership of the Nankai Electric Railway Company

Nankai (1938 to mid-1944)-Kinki Nihon (mid-1944 to 1944)-Kinki Great Ring (1946 to mid-1947)

The name of the franchise started from Nankai when they joined the league, originated from the name of the owning company, the Nankai Electric Railway Co.. Since then, there are several changes in the team's name, sometimes by the pressure from the atmosphere of nationalism during the second world war and sometimes by the team's own will. However, the team had still belonged to the Nankai Electric Railway Co. during that period. And finally the name of the team settled down to the Nankai Hawks in the middle of the 1947 season.

Nankai Hawks (mid-1947 to 1988)

Under the name Nankai Hawks, they won 2 Japan Series titles, and 10 Pacific League Pennants.

Franchise Players: Katsuya Nomura, Mutsuo Minagawa, Hiromitsu Kadota, Chusuke Kizuka, Kohei Sugiyama One of the greatest catchers in Nippon Pro Baseball, Katsuya Nomura was known for his slugging hitting and his endurance behind the plate. ... Hiromitsu Kadota (born February 26, 1948 in Onoda, Japan) was a Japanese professional baseball player for the Nankai Hawks, Orix Braves and Daiei Hawks. ...

The Nankai Hawks (南海ホークス, Nankai Hawks^?) were the top team in the first twenty years of the Pacific League, but fell on hard times and finished in the second division every year from 1978 to 1988, at which point the team was sold to the Daiei corporation to become the Daiei Hawks. They begun to rebound after that and re-established themselves as one of the top Pacific League teams in the late 1990s. The Pacific League (パシフィック・リーグ Pashifikku Riigu) is one of Japans two major professional baseball leagues (the other is the Central League). ... Japan Series Titles: 2 (1999, 2003) Pacific League Pennants: 3 (1999, 2000, 2003) Franchise Players: Kenji Johjima, Koji Akiyama, Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Kimiyasu Kudoh, Tadahito Iguchi, Hiroki Kokubo Manager: Sadaharu Oh In 1988 the Nankai Hawks were sold to the department store corporation Daiei. ...

Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (1988 to 2004)

After the franchise was acquired by department store chain Daiei, Inc., the Hawks were flush with new funds, and a new home city in Fukuoka, the capital of the eponymous prefecture on Kyushu Island. The Hawks were a B-class team in the Pacific League for a number of years in the mid-'90s. However, when new blood was brought in through the draft, the fortunes of the Hawks started to look up. Future stars that were drafted included Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima, 2B Tadahito Iguchi, and ace pitcher Kazumi Saitoh. Even with shaky financial ground looming up until Daiei's sale of the team in 2004, the Hawks were competitive every year from 1999 on, winning the Japan Series against the Chunichi Dragons in 1999, making a Japan Series appearance against the Hideki Matsui-led Yomiuri Giants in 2000, and winning a second Japan Series title in 2003 against the Hanshin Tigers. Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) West Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Seattle Mariners (1977–present) Other nicknames The Ms Ballpark Safeco Field (1999–present) King County Domed Stadium (Kingdome) (1977-1999) Major league titles World Series titles (0) none AL Pennants (0) None... Kenji Johjima (城島 健司; ジョウジマ ケンジ, born June 8, 1976 in Sasebo, Japan) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Seattle Mariners in the American League. ... Tadahito Iguchi , born December 4, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. ... Kazumi Saitoh , born November 30, 1977 in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. ... The Yomiuri Giants have won twenty Japan Series, more than any other team. ... The Chunichi Dragons have won the Central League pennant seven times (including 2006), and won the Japan Series in 1954. ... The Yomiuri Giants ) are one of the popular Central League baseball teams based at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2005 to current)

The Hawks continued their winning ways even after the sale of the team to SoftBank. Even though one of the richest teams in Japan, the Hawks core is still intact from the last years of the Daiei era, especially the starting pitching of Saitoh, Tsuyoshi Wada, Nagisa Arakaki, and Toshiya Sugiuchi. In each of the 3 years since SoftBank has purchased the franchise, the Hawks have made the playoffs every year, but with two consecutive 3rd-place finishes in the Pacific League and aging players like Nobuhiko Matsunaka and Hiroki Kokubo, some player turnover might be in order. In 2005, the Hawks fell to the Seibu Lions in the playoffs. In 2006, a dramatic pennant race led to an even more exciting playoff run that ended in Sapporo Dome to the hands of the eventual Japan Series Champions, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. The 2007 season saw injuries, ineffectiveness, and inconsistency leading to another 3rd-place finish, and a first-stage exit at the hands of the chiba Lotte Marines. SoftBank Corp. ... Tsuyoshi Wada (Japanse:和田毅, February 21, 1981 - , in Konan, Aichi) is a Japanese baseball player. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Toshiya Sugiuchi (杉内 俊哉 , born October 10, 1980 in Kasuga, Fukuoka) is a left-handed pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Nobuhiko Matsunaka was born on December 26, 1973 in Kumamato, Japan. ... Hiroki Kokubo (小久保 裕紀, born October 8, 1971) is a professional baseball player from Wakayama, Japan. ... The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ) are a professional baseball team in Japans Pacific League. ... The Chiba Lotte Marines ) are a professional baseball team in Japans Pacific League. ...

News

2003

Daiei Inc of Japan had a 60% ownership stake in the team. Daiei Inc., under financial pressure, agreed to sell the team as well as the Fukuoka Dome and the Sea Hawk Hotel. For other uses, please see Daiei (disambiguation). ... Fukuoka Dome (福岡ドーム) is a baseball field located in Fukuoka, Japan. ...

2004

In August, Daiei's was in discussion with its primary lenders, including UFJ Bank, to avoid having to sell the Daiei Hawks. UFJ Bank Limited is a japanese bank. ...

Players of Note

Current Manager

• 89 Sadaharu Oh

Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... Sadaharu Oh or officially Wang Chenchih (Chinese: ; Pinyin: , Hepburn: Ō Sadaharu, born May 20, 1940), is a former baseball player and manager of the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball and is the current manager of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. ...

Current Stars

• 18 Nagisa Arakaki - P
• 00 D.J. Houlton - P
• 43 Rick Guttormson - P
• 52 Munenori Kawasaki - SS
•  9 Hiroki Kokubo - 3B
• 14 Takahiro Mahara - P
•  3 Nobuhiko Matsunaka - 1B
• 35 Christopher Nitkowski(a.k.a. C.J. Nitkowski in the MLB) - P
•  7 Naoyuki Ohmura - CF
• 66 Kazumi Saitoh - P
•  1 Hiroshi Shibahara - RF
• 47 Toshiya Sugiuchi - P
•  6 Hitoshi Tamura - LF
• 21 Tsuyoshi Wada - P

Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Dennis Sean Houlton (born August 12, 1979 in Fullerton, California) is a Major League Baseball pitcher who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Rick Lee Guttormson (リック・ガトームソン b. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Munenori Kawasaki (川﨑 宗則, born June 3, 1981 in Kagoshima) is a professional baseball player for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Hiroki Kokubo (小久保 裕紀, born October 8, 1971) is a professional baseball player from Wakayama, Japan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Takahiro Mahara (馬原 孝浩, born December 8, 1981 in Kumamoto) is a right handed pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Nobuhiko Matsunaka was born on December 26, 1973 in Kumamato, Japan. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Christopher John Nitkowski (born March 9, 1973, New York State ) is a left handed baseball pitcher, as of 2007 with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, in the Japanese Pacific League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Naoyuki Ohmura (大村 直之, born February 13, 1976 in Hyogo) is a professional baseball player for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Kazumi Saitoh , born November 30, 1977 in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Hiroshi Shibahara (柴原 洋, born May 23, 1974 in Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyūshū) is a professional baseball outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Toshiya Sugiuchi (杉内 俊哉 , born October 10, 1980 in Kasuga, Fukuoka) is a left-handed pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Hitoshi Tamura (born March 28, 1977 in Kanagawa) is a professional baseball player for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Tsuyoshi Wada (Japanse:和田毅, February 21, 1981 - , in Konan, Aichi) is a Japanese baseball player. ...

Former Players

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

• Tony Batista - 3B
• Jolbert Cabrera - 2B (Currently with Cincinnati Reds MLB)
• Kenji Johjima - C (Currently with Seattle Mariners MLB)
• Julio Zuleta - DH

Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic. ... Leocadio Francisco Tony Batista (born December 9, 1973 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) is an infielder who most recently played for the Minnesota Twins, who played in the major leagues from 1996 to 2004, and played with the Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League in 2005. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Colombia. ... Jolbert Cabrera [HOLE-bert kah-BRAY-rah] (born December 8, 1972 in Cartagena, Colombia) is a baseball outfielder/infielder who until recently played with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japans Pacific League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Kenji Johjima (城島 健司; ジョウジマ ケンジ, born June 8, 1976 in Sasebo, Japan) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Seattle Mariners in the American League. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Panama. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Fukuoka Daiei Hawks

• Koji Akiyama
• Morgan Burkhart
• Rich Gossage
• Lindsay Gulin
• Chris Haney
• Melvin Nieves
• Tadahito Iguchi (Currently with MLB San Diego Padres)
• Kimiyasu Kudoh
• Kevin Mitchell
• Brady Raggio
• Bobby Thigpen
• Willie Upshaw

Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Koji Akiyama (Japanese:秋山 幸二, born April 6, 1962 in Kumamoto) was a professional baseball player for the Seibu Lions in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Morgan Burkhart (born January 29, 1972 in St. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Richard Michael Goose Gossage (born July 5, 1951, in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Christopher Deane Haney (born November 16, 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1991 to 2002 for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Puerto_Rico. ... Melvin Ramos Mel Nieves (Born: December 28, 1971 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the brother of Wil Nieves and a former switch hitting Major League Baseball outfielder. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Tadahito Iguchi , born December 4, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons of the same name, see Kevin Mitchell. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Robert Thomas Thigpen (born July 17, 1963 in Tallahassee, Florida) is an American former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball noted for setting the major league (and American League) record of 57 saves during the 1990 season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Willie Clay Upshaw (b. ...

Nankai Hawks

• Tony Bernazard
• Don Blasingame
• Katsuya Nomura
• Joe Stanka
• Tadashi Sugiura

Image File history File links Flag_of_Puerto_Rico. ... Born on August 24, 1956 in Caguas, P.R., Antonio Bernazard Garcia is a former Major League Baseball player. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Don Lee Blasingame ( March 16, 1932 – April 13, 2005) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played with the St. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... One of the greatest catchers in Nippon Pro Baseball, Katsuya Nomura was known for his slugging hitting and his endurance behind the plate. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Joe Donald Stanka (born July 23, 1931) is a former major league baseball player from Hammon, Oklahoma. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ...

Nankai

• Yoshiyuki Iwamoto

Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ...

Retired numbers

Honored numbers

• 15 Masao Fujii

Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Masao Fujii (藤井 将雄, born October 16, 1968 in Nishi-ku, Fukuoka and raised in Karatsu, Saga, died October 13, 2000) was a professional baseball player for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japans Nippon Professional Baseball. ...

External links

• (Japanese) Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks official web site