Ramirez, Darvish win MVP honors for 2009

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Alex Ramirez of the Giants became the first back-to-back CL MVP since Sadaharu Oh did it in 1976-77 (Photo Source: Wikipedia)

Interleague standings

Japan Times (Kyodo) -- Yomiuri Giants outfielder Alex Ramirez and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Yu Darvish were named the 2009 MVPs on Wednesday for their respective leagues.
Ramirez was voted the Central League MVP for the second year in a row after hitting a league-high .322 with 31 homers and 103 RBIs in 144 games in Yomiuri's run to its third consecutive CL title.
Darvish won his second Pacific League MVP award in three seasons.
He had a 15-5 record with a league-best 1.73 ERA in 23 starts before shoulder and back problems caused him to miss the final three weeks of the season.
November 19: Full Story
Jason Coskrey, Japan Times: Surprise contributors provided major impact for Giants this season

Giants beat Fighters in six games, win first Japan Series since 2002
Jason Coskrey, Japan Times -- Tetsuya Utsumi didn't expect to get a second chance to redeem himself in the Japan Series. But when opportunity came knocking in Game 6, he responded like a champion.
Utsumi was pressed into action after a first-inning injury shelved starter Shun Tono and came though in the clutch with 4 2/3 scoreless innings on the hill to help the Yomiuri Giants win the Japan Series with a 2-0 victory over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Saturday at Sapporo Dome.
November 8: Full Story
Kaz Nagatsuka, Japan Times: Contrite Inaba laments his missed opportunities in Japan Series loss
Jason Coskrey, Japan Times: Kroon relished challenge of closing out Japan Series
Baseball Reference: 2009 Nippon Series
Wikipedia: 2009 Japan Series

Giants, Fighters ready to rumble in Japan Series
Jason Coskrey, Japan Times -- The stage is set for the 2009 Japan Series. The Yomiuri Giants spent virtually the entire season in first place in the Central League, steamrolling their way to the title series in their typical bullish fashion.
From the Pacific League comes the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, who are beginning to make a habit out of playing for championships.
October 31: Full Story
Kaz Nagatsuka, Japan Times: Nippon Ham, Yomiuri maintain focus before series opener
Jason Coskrey, Japan Times: Ogasawara returning to battle team he started with
Wikipedia: 2009 Central League Climax Series
Wikipedia: 2009 Pacific League Climax Series

2009 Nippon Professional Baseball season
The 2009 Nippon Professional Baseball season is the 60th season since the NPB was reorganized in 1950.
Wikipedia: Full Article