 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st photo)

 A Legend Behind 60 Years of Nippon Broadcasting System's Show-Up Nightly Programming

 Tsunoki Miyata, a veteran of the Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. show "Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. He is still a legend today, continuing to provide live broadcasts as Japan's first "play-by-play announcer in his 80s.

80-Year-Old Veteran Broadcaster Miyata Tsuneki Recounts Legendary Players and Iconic Games That Defined an Era

 A veteran announcer tells his secret story (Part 2)... The '85 Hanshin League championship game between Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka, the "best game ever" for a play-by-play announcer

 Tsunoki Miyata not only broadcasted the Giants' games, but he was also present at the moment of the Hanshin League championship in 1985. He even traveled across the ocean to report the game. The best game he ever played was the game between the Giants and Yakult on September 4, 2009.

Veteran Baseball Voice Miyata Tsunoki, 80s, Still Finds Excitement in Every Broadcast

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 There are more than 20 routines that I have to do every day" -- Kenta Maeda is not just looking for a good luck!

 Kenta Maeda, who has won 68 games in the Majors and returned to Japanese baseball after an 11-year absence, is famous for his "Maeken Gymnastics" and other routines, but he is more than just a testament to his success. It all started in his second year as a professional baseball player in Hiroshima, against Nippon Ham in June 2008.

Maeda Kenta Returns to Japan After 11 Years with 20+ Routines and a 20% Margin Mindset

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 Part 2

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of attraction by generation" to world sporting events such as the WBC and the Olympics!

Rugby and Olympic Judo Attract Peak Working Age Fans as Sports World Tournament Engagement Rankings by Generation Revealed

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 Part 1

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of nail-biting by generation" for world sporting championships such as the WBC and the Olympics.

Why the WBC Ranks Low in Surprise Generation-Based Engagement Rankings of Global Sports Tournaments

 Kyodo News

 Shocking 3-game debut in a row, attributed to a minor change in hitting form

 In his first major league game on March 27, Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox drowned out the concerns of fans in Japan and the United States with his ability. The reason for his success was a minor change in his hitting form that he has been working on in anticipation of his challenge in the Majors.

Munetaka Murakami, White Sox: &#8220;Small Steps&#8221; Seen as A-League Homerun King!

 On March 31, Chonami Yoshida left Loco Solare and will join the professional league in April. She sent a message to the members saying, "Until we reunite at the age of 50, I bid you all a fond farewell. We look back on Yoshida's past heroics with these images.

Chinami Yoshida Announces Departure from Loco Solare Members Show Heartfelt Bonds That May Not Be Seen Until 50-Year Reunion

 AFLO

 Rikako Ikee won the triple crown at the Japan Swimming Championships. However, Rikako Ikee was not satisfied with the result, saying, "I feel like I was defeated by my feelings. However, the results of the body modification she has been working on since last off-season are gradually showing results.

Rikako Ikee Goes All In on Sprinting Wins Triple Crown and Secures Five Straight Titles at Japan Swimming Championships

 Although she narrowly missed the Milano Olympics, she defeated strong opponents one after another in order to get back on the world stage!

 On the world's biggest stage, Mayuki Fujisawa is still a strong competitor! Momori Koana is a newcomer to Rocco Solare, and it seems that Fujisawa has been able to draw more out of her by competing alongside Chinami Yoshida. She herself has also shown mental strength. She has proven her ability at the world level.

Japan National Team Loco Solare Satsuki Fujisawa Shows Grit and Evolution at the World Championships

 Special Report - Part 2

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball for the year 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Pacific League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Predicted Champions by Sabermetrics Here Are the Top Teams Pacific League Edition

 Special Report Part 1

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball in 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Central League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Sabermetrics Reveal the Top Contenders Central League Edition

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Shohei Otani and other young athletes of the Z Generation learn from the theory of nurturing young athletes. The latest in mental management and goal-setting, such as the "de-emphasis on guts" that draws out initiative from waiting for instructions, and the "use of data" that links failure to growth, are explained in this must-see for managers.

Clutch Gene Unlocked Why Ohtani Owns the Big Stage

 C2/Yuji Arakawa

 The Major League Baseball season has begun! The "right shoulder down" form has finally been perfected!

 Shohei Ohtani's pitching form is becoming more and more distinctive. The fact that the characteristics of his pitching are becoming apparent is a sign that he is approaching ″perfection″ as a pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani Shows Serious Pitching as He Aims to Dominate Batters This Season

 Getty Images

 An in-depth analysis of the talented and fresh rookies who are aiming for the queen's title

 Who will be this season's heroine? This season's domestic women's golf tour started with the Daikin Orchid Ladies on March 5. We will thoroughly analyze all the players, from the talented ones who are aiming for the queen's title to the fresh rookies! What kind of dramas will be born this year?

Domestic Golf Tour Launches — Which Strong &#038; Cute Heroine Will Rise?

 Shohei Otani, 31, was the face of Samurai Japan in the WBC. Although his team lost in the quarterfinals, Otani, who hit three home runs and was named one of the best nine players in the tournament, showed his outstanding presence off the field as well.

Shohei Ohtani&#8217;s &#8220;Outstanding Star&#8221; at the WBC: &#8220;Even his private SP is sponsored&#8221; and &#8220;Voluntary regulation prohibiting funny faces&#8221;&#8230;

 Somehow, information on player selection and usage was leaked...

 The WBC's quarterfinal elimination was not the only source of concern for Hirokazu Ibata, the manager of the Japan Professional Baseball League. Incredibly, confidential information on the selection of the Samurai Japan team members and the use of players was leaked.

Hirokazu Ibata Struggles with Trust After Suspected Confidential Leaks in Samurai Japan During WBC

 Yuji Yanagawa (nonfiction writer)

 Yuji Yanagawa (Kawamoto, Nakamura, Tokumaru)

 Special Report on the 2026 Senbatsu (Part 2)

 The 98th Sembatsu, which heralds the arrival of spring baseball, will open on March 19. Osaka Toin, a team that missed the spring and summer Koshien tournaments last year, has some new second-year players who are expected to make their breakthrough. One of them is the eldest son of Takeya Nakamura, aka Okawari-kun of the Saitama Seibu.

2026 Senbatsu Rising Future Samurai Stars to Watch Including Osaka Toin Sophomore Duo and Shutoku Ace Left Hander

 Yuji Yanagawa (non-fiction writer)

 Yuji Yanagawa (Akama) AFLO

 Special Report on the 2026 Senbatsu Tournament (Part 1)

 March 19 marks the opening day of the 98th Senbatsu, the tournament that heralds the arrival of spring baseball. Shoki Oda of Yokohama, winner of last year's tournament, and Ryojo Sueyoshi, left arm of Okinawa Shogaku, last summer's champion, will return to the sacred ground, but there are other candidates who could be high draft picks in the future.

2026 Senbatsu Special Future Samurai Japan Talent Including Player Dubbed Next Ohtani Set to Shine at Koshien

 Shinji Hamasaki

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what we were reporting 10, 20, and 30 years ago. In this issue, we take a look back at the "concerns" that were whispered about Japan's WBC team "Oh Japan" 20 years ago, when it was not yet the "Samurai Japan".

Playback] Actually, there was nothing but uncertainty&#8230;Four Problems Faced by the First WBC &#8220;Oh Japan

 Taguchi Yuji

 The ″absolute ace″ of the Samurai Japan team, which will be active in the WBC, in a series of photos. An expert in motion analysis thoroughly analyzes the pitching form... ......

 The "absolute ace" of Samurai Japan's dynamic team in the WBC...A motion analysis expert thoroughly analyzes the pitching form of the Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a series of photos! The "Javelin Throwing Technique" has evolved to a mega-evolution. A professor at Tsukuba University gives his approval for his great performance this season.

Analysis of the form in a series of photos! The right wing of the Cy Young Award this season&#8230;Yoshinobu Yamamoto&#8217;s &#8220;Javelin Throwing Method&#8221; has mega-evolved!

 Takahiro Kagawa (Maki) Takayuki Ogawauchi (Yoshida, Genda)

 During the fierce competition between the Samurai Japan and the Tokyo WBC, a FRIDAY reporter witnessed the men who had sent the Tokyo Dome into a frenzy relax. Where were key players such as Masanao Yoshida, Shugo Maki, and Sousuke Genda headed...?

WBC Samurai Japan: Masanao Yoshida, Shugo Maki, Sousuke Genda&#8230; Key players of the offense and defense are headed for a break from the fatigue.

 Explosion of the batting stick!　The Essence of Hitting: The "Two Kinds of Home Runs" Hit in the Tokyo Round of the WBC

 The two home runs he hit in the WBC Tokyo Round were enough to make us realize why Shohei Otani is the best player in the world. Not only does Ohtani lead the Samurai not only with his skills and body, but also with his heart, and this year he is expected to be a "Warriors" player.

Shohei Ohtani’s mind, skill, and body at peak — 2026 poised to be a truly unstoppable year with record after record

 The reprimand was too "justifiable".

 Samurai Japan, which advanced to the WBC series in Miami after winning all of its games in the Tokyo round, was "burned" by Munetaka Murakami (26), who hit a miraculous goodbye hit in the previous round in 2023, at the Emperor's Exhibition Game held on March 8. Why?

Samurai Japan Holds Imperial Game and Urges Murakami Munetaka to Show Awareness as National Team Player

 Kumataro Arai

 The Samurai Japan team has topped the first round of the WBC, starting with Shohei Otani's grand slam home run, followed by Masanao Yoshida's home run in back-to-back games. The man behind the scenes is ......

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