 Arifumi Taguchi

 What are the similarities and differences between the two men who led the Dodgers and Yankees to the World Series?

 Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge led the Dodgers and Yankees to the World Series. What are the similarities and differences between these two players who have taken their careers to another dimension? An expert in motion analysis thoroughly compares their hitting forms!

Expert Compares Ohtani and Judge&#8217;s Exceptional Hitting

 Shimei Kurita

 Kazuhiko Nakamura, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters/Afro (Forever Young)

 I don't know how much money is in my account.

 In an interview, Rusei Sakai, 27, a rising star in his mid-20s who has already won 11 GI races, revealed his true feelings about the Kentucky Derby, the biggest race in the U.S.

Rusei Sakai&#8217;s Confession: The Jockey Who Made History with Kentucky Derby and BC Classic Wins

 Myung-Woo Kim

 Kyodo News

 Mao Saigo is leading the U.S. Tour's Rookie of the Year competition. Sportswriter Kim Myeong-soo looks into the secret of her breakthrough.

 The first great accomplishment in 34 years is about to be born in women's golf in the United States. Mao Saigo, who is playing in her rookie year, is currently leading the Rookie of the Year ranking. We take a closer look at the evolution of Mao Saigo, who has not only changed her game but also her "atmosphere.

Mao Saigo Shares Her Journey as She Nears a Major Milestone in U.S. Women&#8217;s Golf

 Fuji TV has been effectively "banned" from the first game of this year's Japan Series, in which Softbank and DeNA are engaged in a fierce battle.

Fuji Group Rep Banned from Japan Series Sends Apology Flowers

 AFLO

 The Dodgers defied most expectations to win the league championship! And to become the best in the world!

 Defying most predictions that the Phillies would win the National League championship, the Dodgers won the championship series in succession, advanced to the World Series, and won their first three games in a row. The Dodgers' rapid progress was made possible by Ohtani's "outstanding leadership." ......

Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s &#8216;Willpower&#8217; Sparks Dodgers&#8217; Unstoppable Unity and World Series Triumph

 Osamu Ino

 The latest book by a former professional baseball umpire on the emotions involved in ejecting a player from the game is now on sale.

 Osamu Ino, a former professional baseball umpire who also served as the first chief umpire of the NPB, has written a book titled "Puroyakyu wa umpire ga 90%: Legendary Offense and Defense Seen Through a Mask" (Gentosha), in which he talks about his working days. Here are excerpts from the book.

Former NPB Renowned Umpire Unveils the Truth Behind the Furuta and Okada Ejection Drama

 Masahiro Kawayanagi

 Shinnosuke Ogasawara, a pitcher from Chunichi, is aiming to move to MLB through the posting system. In an interview with this magazine in 2006, Ogasawara spoke of his admiration for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who played in the Majors. What are his thoughts on that, and what are the potential destinations, according to the experts?

Shinnosuke Ogasawara Talks Admiration for Daisuke Matsuzaka and Potential Transfer Destinations

 Former professional baseball umpire's latest book on "many great judgments" is now on sale.

 Osamu Ino, a former professional baseball umpire who also served as the first chief umpire of the NPB, has written a book titled "Puroyakyu wa umpire ga 90%: Legendary Offenses and Defenses Seen Through the Mask" (Gentosha), which talks about his working days. We present excerpts from the book.

Behind the Legendary Controversial Call in the Japan Series, Revealed by NPB&#8217;s First Chief Umpire

 Daichi Hadano

 Kyodo News (1st photo) Japan Magazine Publishers Association (2nd photo)

 Shinba Higuchi won her first GP series. On October 20, one night after her victory, she revealed the secret story of her victory, which she had won after a twisting and turning skating life. We take a closer look at the mentor behind her long-sought victory.

Will you come to practice tomorrow? Shinba Higuchi, the first winner of the GP Series, was saved from burnout by her &#8220;mentor.

 At Skate America, the opening round of the GP Series, where Japanese skaters were outstanding, it was 23-year-old Shinba Higuchi (Noevir) who shone brightly. What was the evolution behind the crown?

The &#8220;new strategy&#8221; that led Shinba Higuchi to her first GP Series victory with a stunning comeback.

 On January 15, a press conference was held to announce that manager Akifu Okada (66) will retire at the end of the season and will be replaced by baseball critic and team's special assistant, Kyuji Fujikawa (44).

‘Great Restoration at Hanshin Under Kyuji Fujikawa: Behind the Fan-less Family Feud

 Lotte pitcher Akinori Sasaki, 22, is now in line to join Major League Baseball in the U.S. this offseason.

Rōki Sasaki’s Disappearance After CS Final and Lotte’s Ongoing VIP Treatment

 Yuji Yanagawa

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Rui Soyama (Meiji University) is said to be one of the best players in 20 years, and Yuto Kanamaru of Kansai University is this year's standout pitcher. The first name that comes to mind as an outlier for both of these inevitable contenders is Yuto Nakamura, 21, of Aichi Institute of Technology.

Yuto Nakamura Yakult&#8217;s First Pick with 160 km/h Fastball, Never Aimed for Pro Baseball

 Kei Kato

 The day of the Draft Conference arrived, and the fate of amateur baseball players aiming to play professional baseball in Japan was up for grabs. Because they do not know what other teams will be doing, the teams will be pondering until the very last minute whether they should be prepared to compete for the most popular picks or go for a single pick.

Kanemaru Yumeto Laughs Off Fateful Encounter: “Nothing is Coming Out!”

 Shinsuke Sakai

 The dream of the core horse racing fans is to enjoy horse racing with a former jockey while drinking sake from noon on Saturdays and Sundays! Ankatsu is going to fulfill the dream of the hard-core horse racing fan. Ankatsu is a former famous jockey known to all horse racing fans.

Discover Insider Tips and Enjoy Horse Racing Weekends at Ando Katsuki&#8217;s Ankatsu Bar!

 On October 10, Chunichi announced that Kazuki Inoue, 53, will be promoted to manager of the second team next season.

New Chunichi Manager Kazuki Inoue Praised as &#8216;Good Guy&#8217; but Faces Challenge of Drawing Crowds

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 The professional baseball draft conference is coming up on October 24. The focus of attention will be on Shogo, the eldest son of Kazuhiro Kiyohara, who became the No. 4 player at Keio University after a six-year layoff. He is not an immediate starter, but he has a bright future ahead of him. What is the surprising team that is rumored to be interested in him?

Some point out the training quota and the omission of a pick&#8230; Kazuhiro Kiyohara&#8217;s eldest son, Shogo, &#8220;is rumored to be picked in the draft conference&#8221; Surprising team names.

 Getty Images (1st), KLPGA (2nd)

 It has become clear that four leading Japanese tour players will participate in the qualifying round for the right to compete on the U.S. Women's Golf Tour next year. While Japanese players are expected to make great strides, there are also concerns about the hollowing out of Japan's popular professionals.

Top Japanese Golfers Take on U.S. Tour, Sparking Global Recognition and Talent Drain Concerns at Home

 Takero Yui

 Ryo Seizawa, a former Rakuten player, grew up in an environment far from the baseball elite in elementary, junior high, and high school. The reason why he was able to play professionally is because of his unique "way of thinking. We asked him about his way of thinking.

Former Rakuten Player Ryo Hirijisawa: Success from a Rare Background

 Shu Nishihara (1st and 4th pictures) Courtesy of the person in charge (hospital room)

 The ace reliever (56), well-known for his "Pikkari Pitching Method," has suffered from heart failure, valvular heart disease, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, dialysis, and infection. ...... After a five-year battle with the disease, his right arm was amputated.

 Former Kintetsu Buffaloes pitcher Jiki Sano, known for his "piccalillo" pitching technique, had his right arm amputated in May of this year after a five-year battle with the disease. He has just been discharged from the hospital, but has begun training. What does Sano envision for the future?



Former Kintetsu Pitcher with Amputated Arm Plans to Throw Strikes with His Left Arm This December!

 Kojiro Yamada

 A day of close-up shots! Former relief ace Ryota Igarashi makes a dashing appearance on a large 1800cc BMW R18 motorcycle!

 The "Tokyo Yakult Wagadan" touring club is made up of Yakult alumni, staff members, and members of the media. FRIDAY caught up closely with one of the members, former relief ace Igarashi! The sight of these world-famous motorcycles riding in tandem is a powerful sight to behold!

Tokyo Yakult Riders: Former Players Hit the Road in Style!

 Yuji Yanagawa (non-fiction writer)

 Kei Kato (Kanamaru), Hiroyuki Komatsu (Fujita, Nakamura)

 Exclusive direct interview with the top picks that 12 teams are interested in!

 The 2024 Professional Baseball Draft Conference will be held on October 24, and FRIDAY has exclusive direct interviews with the top picks that the 12 teams have their eyes on! The "golden egg" who is expected to make a great leap forward reveals his "determination and confidence"...

Just before the October 24 Draft! The Big 3 &#8220;Golden Egg&#8221; Pitchers Reveal Their Determination and Confidence

 Shuntaro Abe

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what this magazine was reporting 10, 20, and 30 years ago. In this issue, we introduce an appreciation event for the Japanese women's volleyball team in the October 8, 2004 issue. Megumi Kurihara with an afro stood out from the crowd.

Playback &#8217;04] Wearing an Afro Wig&#8230;The Day Megumi Kurihara, Women&#8217;s Volleyball Player, Had a Big Day

 Hiroshi Tanikawa

 Nakamasa Mannami supported the breakthrough of Shinsho Nippon Ham. He had many legends from his junior high school days. Here are some of the people who were involved at the time looking back on the days when he was "Nerima's Super Junior High School Student.

Sports

Expert Compares Ohtani and Judge’s Exceptional Hitting

Rusei Sakai’s Confession: The Jockey Who Made History with Kentucky Derby and BC Classic Wins

Mao Saigo Shares Her Journey as She Nears a Major Milestone in U.S. Women’s Golf

Fuji Group Rep Banned from Japan Series Sends Apology Flowers

Shohei Ohtani’s ‘Willpower’ Sparks Dodgers’ Unstoppable Unity and World Series Triumph

Former NPB Renowned Umpire Unveils the Truth Behind the Furuta and Okada Ejection Drama

Shinnosuke Ogasawara Talks Admiration for Daisuke Matsuzaka and Potential Transfer Destinations

Behind the Legendary Controversial Call in the Japan Series, Revealed by NPB’s First Chief Umpire

Will you come to practice tomorrow? Shinba Higuchi, the first winner of the GP Series, was saved from burnout by her “mentor.

The “new strategy” that led Shinba Higuchi to her first GP Series victory with a stunning comeback.

‘Great Restoration at Hanshin Under Kyuji Fujikawa: Behind the Fan-less Family Feud

Rōki Sasaki’s Disappearance After CS Final and Lotte’s Ongoing VIP Treatment

Yuto Nakamura Yakult’s First Pick with 160 km/h Fastball, Never Aimed for Pro Baseball

Kanemaru Yumeto Laughs Off Fateful Encounter: “Nothing is Coming Out!”

Discover Insider Tips and Enjoy Horse Racing Weekends at Ando Katsuki’s Ankatsu Bar!

New Chunichi Manager Kazuki Inoue Praised as ‘Good Guy’ but Faces Challenge of Drawing Crowds

Some point out the training quota and the omission of a pick… Kazuhiro Kiyohara’s eldest son, Shogo, “is rumored to be picked in the draft conference” Surprising team names.

Top Japanese Golfers Take on U.S. Tour, Sparking Global Recognition and Talent Drain Concerns at Home

Former Rakuten Player Ryo Hirijisawa: Success from a Rare Background

Former Kintetsu Pitcher with Amputated Arm Plans to Throw Strikes with His Left Arm This December!

Tokyo Yakult Riders: Former Players Hit the Road in Style!

Just before the October 24 Draft! The Big 3 “Golden Egg” Pitchers Reveal Their Determination and Confidence

Playback ’04] Wearing an Afro Wig…The Day Megumi Kurihara, Women’s Volleyball Player, Had a Big Day

Nakamaasa Banpa: From Nerima’s Top Student to Baseball Star