Giants–Tigers Alumni Game

Over Golden Week, the fourth-generation owner and I went to see the classic Giants–Tigers matchup.

It was a compelling pitchers’ duel, and it certainly lived up to its reputation as a classic rivalry.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the team’s founding, and it seems there are various events being held as well.

On July 15, following the official game at Tokyo Dome, an alumni game between the Giants and Tigers was held.

I received many photos from that day from Koji Ano, a former Giants catcher who took part, so I’d like to share them here (with Mr. Ano’s permission).

What an impressive lineup: former manager Sadaharu Oh, Tsuneo Horiuchi, Suguru Egawa, Kiyoshi Nakahata, Tatsunori Hara, and many others.

Warren Cromartie was there too, though he was seated in a wheelchair!

There are also photos of Takeyuki Emoto and Takashi Toritani from the Tigers.

Apparently, the game was tremendously exciting, featuring a matchup between Egawa and Kakefu, among other highlights.

The Giants reportedly won 3–2, but more than the result, it was wonderful as an all-star gathering of stars from years gone by!

Looking at the photos I received reminded me of the sandlot baseball we played almost every day after school at a neighborhood children’s park when I was young.

The fifth-generation owner, who had been chubby since childhood, played catcher. But whenever he stepped up to the plate, he would pretend to be his idol, Shigeru Takada—despite knowing full well that he looked nothing like him.

Thank you very much for the precious photographs.

And once again, congratulations on the 90th anniversary of the Yomiuri Giants’ founding.