Lee leaves Marines for the Giants
South Korean Slugger Lee Seung Yeop held a press conference with the Giants skipper Tatsunori Hara on Jan 19. For a contract of 50 million yen, plus 160 million yen, he will play one year with the Giants. It's despite the fact that he was offered less money than by the Marines. He said it was a dream to join the Giants.

Kiyohara to join Buffaloes
Superstar Kazuhiro Kiyohara officially announced in Tokyo on Dec 29 that he will join the Orix Buffaloes. He said that after the Tokyo Giants released him, Akira Ohgi, who passed away on Dec 15 had asked him to come home to Osaka. Kiyohara was moved by Ohgi's words and decided to continue baseball in Osaka.

Oh announces players for World Baseball Classic
Sadaharu Oh announced on Dec 9, 29 of 30 players he's chosen for the first World Baseball Classic scheduled in March 2006. They include Chiba Lotte Marines pitcher Shusuke Watanabe or 8 players from his team. Also, Seibu Lions Daisuke Matsuzaka is among them. Players from MLB are Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and Tadahito Iguchi of the Chicago White Sox. Oh is said to have left one slot open, as he's waiting for NY Yankees Hideki Matsui to get back to him with the greenlight.

Konami Cup Asian Series
Final:Chiba Lotte Marines vs Samsung Lions on Nov 13
Julio Franco with a sacrifice fly recorded an RBI in the first inning. The South Korea team equalized in the 3rd. But Benny Agbayani hit in a run. And Masato Watanabe slammed a 2 run homer. The Marines clincehd the first Asian title in a 5 to 3 game. Benny Agbayani was named Most Valuable Player of the series.

Chiba Lotte Marines vs China Stars on Nov 12
The Marines starter was surprisingly, veteran pitcher Tomohiro Kuroki, alias Johnny. He gave up a run in the first inning. In the 3rd, he was hit on the leg, which led to an unusual triple play. Benny Agbayani hit home runners with bases loaded to clinch the lead. Taking over the game after Johnny was even older Satoru Komiyama. The 40 year old former New York Mets pitcher hurled long innings and to close the game was Masahide Kobayashi. The Marines won 3 to 1.

Chiba Lotte Marines vs Sinon Bulls on Nov 11
It was the Marines Toshiaki Imae again who hit in the first run of the game. It was with a sacrifice fly. Benny Agbayani was incredible with 2 home runs. The game was ended in the 7th inning, as the Marines was ahead by 7 runs. It won 12 to 1.

Chiba Lotte Marines vs Samsung Lions on Nov 10
It's the first time a club team championship takes place between 4 champions from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China. It's at the Tokyo Dome. The Marines MVP Toshiaki Imae hit in the team's first run. he was fallowed by Saburo. South Korean Slugger Lee Seung Yeop recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly. Tasuku Hashimoto singled a home run. The game was closed by Masahide Kobayashi, for the Marines 6 to 2 win.

2005 MVPs announced
It was announced on Nov 4, that for the Central League, MVP is Kanemoto Tomoaki of the Hanshin Tigers. For the Pacific League, its Fukuoka Softbanks' pitcher Toshiya Sugiuchi. Rookie of the year went to the Yakult Swallows Norichika Aoki and Chiba Lotte Marines Yasutomo Kubo.

Shoriki Matsutaro Award goes to Valentine
Bobby Valentine became the first American to win Japan's prestigious baseball award. All committee members voted for him on Nov 2 for leading the Chiba Lotte Marines to a victorious team.

Go to BASEBALL ARCHIVE INDEX