1999 Japan Series Home

Hawks defied underdog label to steal Dragons' fire in Japan Series
By Jim Allen, Daily Yomiuri -- The Fukuoka Daiei Hawks earned the right to crow after completing an overwhelming four games to one victory in the 1999 Japan Series over the Chunichi Dragons.
The relatively young and inexperienced Hawks, considered underdogs by many, put a quick end to the series by taking all three of the Dragons' home games at Nagoya Dome.
Oct. 30: Full Story

Hawks soar to Japan Series title
By Jim Allen, Daily Yomiuri -- The Fukuoka Daiei Hawks had the Chunichi Dragons backed to the edge of the cliff, then sent them off with a 6-4 win Thursday night in the decisive Game 5 of the 1999 Japan Series at Nagoya Dome.
It was the first Japan Series victory for the Hawks since 1964, when the team was owned by Nankai and based in Osaka, and the first in two tries for manager Sadaharu Oh.
Oct. 29: Full Story

Game 4: Hawks' hurlers baffle Dragons
By Jim Allen, Daily Yomiuri -- While the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks are playing the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Series, the Hawks pitchers are playing "Can you top this?"
On Wednesday night in Game 4, the Hawks took a commanding 3-1 lead in the series as they beat the Dragons 3-0 at Nagoya Dome.
Oct. 28: Full Story

Game 3: Nagai, Jojima give Hawks 2-1 series lead
By Jim Allen, Daily Yomiuri -- After impressive pitching performances in the first two games of the Japan Series, the fans at Nagoya Dome got more of the same on Tuesday in Game 3.
Although the Chunichi Dragons got a solid performance from their starting pitcher, veteran Masahiro Yamamoto, the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks won 5-0 on the strength of second-year pitcher Tomohiro Nagai and some power from batterymate Kenji Jojima.
Oct. 26: Full Story

Akiyama makes Dragons feel his pain
By Ken Marantz, Daily Yomiuri -- A player of less grit, of less desire to win and passion for the sport, might have sat out the game.
But Koji Akiyama, still going strong at 37, refused to let a painfully swollen calf muscle keep him out of the second game of the Japan Series.
Oct. 26: Full Story

Game 2: Dragons rip Hawks, tie Series
By Ken Marantz, Daily Yomiuri -- With the long layoff before the Japan Series, Leo Gomez was far more concerned about getting his timing back at the plate than who he would be facing when he got there.
Gomez, batting with Swiss watch-like precision, delivered a pair of two-run doubles to help lead the Chunichi Dragons to an 8-2 victory Sunday night over the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks to tie the series at a game apiece.
Oct. 25: Full Story

Veterans spark Hawks to 3-0 win
By Ken Marantz, Daily Yomiuri -- Leave it to a pair of Japan Series veterans to spark a team that had not played for a championship in 26 years.
Kimiyasu Kudo tossed a six-hitter in a record-setting performance and Koji Akiyama homered as the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks won the opening game of the Japan Series on Saturday night, 3-0 over the Chunichi Dragons.
Oct. 24: Full Story

Painful loss gives Hawks' Nieves new perspective on life
By Ken Marantz, Daily Yomiuri -- Sometime during the Japan Series starting tonight, Melvin Nieves might strike out with the bases loaded. He might drop a fly ball, or make a throwing error.
As painful to his ego as such miscues might be, the hurt will never be as sharp as the time he waited helplessly for his baby to die.
Oct. 23: Full Story

Fire & ice - Series' managers couldn't be more different
By Jim Allen, Daily Yomiuri -- You could call them fire and ice. You'd have to look hard to find two more different managers than the Chunichi Dragons' Senichi Hoshino and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks' Sadaharu Oh.
Hoshino and Oh, long-time rivals as players and later managers in the Central League, meet again tomorrow as their teams open the Japan Series at Fukuoka Dome.
Oct. 22: Full Story

1999 Japan Series Preview
By Dan Latham and Rob Magee -- ... Magee's prediction: Dragons win series 4 games to 2; Latham's prediction: Dragons win series 4 games to 3.
Oct. 19: Full Story

Pedraza's career takes off with Hawks
Ken Marantz, Daily Yomiuri -- Career minor leaguer makes transition from starter to bullpen.
Oct. 22: Full Story

Akiyama flips for Series' HRs
Daily Yomiuri -- Daiei's veteran outfielder Koji Akiyama has made his share of acrobatic catches in his 19-year career. But when it comes to the Japan Series, he literally flips out after hitting home runs.
Oct. 22: Full Story

Takeda hands it to Hawks
Daily Yomiuri -- It was an odd experience for Dragons' right-hander Kazuhiro Takeda. Having joined the Dragons this season as a free agent after three seasons with Daiei, Takeda broke into tears watching the Hawks celebrate their PL championship on TV.
Oct. 22: Full Story