How many can you answer? Test your fan level with the Hanshin Tigers trivia & fun facts quiz

Yoshida Yoshio

Despite his small stature, Yoshida Yoshio captivated fans with his quick, elegant fielding and was nicknamed the “Modern Ushiwakamaru.” In 1985, as manager, he led the Hanshin Tigers to their first Japan Series championship, powered by the formidable lineup of Randy Bass, Masayuki Kakefu, and Akinobu Okada. He was also a one-club man who spent his entire playing career with Hanshin.

Nishinomiya Tigers

The Hanshin Tigers began as the “Osaka Tigers” when they were founded in 1935, and during the war they were renamed the “Hanshin Army.” However, the team name “Nishinomiya Tigers” has never been used. It’s a niche bit of trivia that shows you know the team’s name history, including the fact that Nishinomiya is their home base.

Let the heartbeat resound. Advance along the tiger’s path.

This slogan was adopted to commemorate the club’s 90th anniversary. It’s a passionate slogan imbued with the wish to share heart-pounding excitement with the fans and to have fans, players, and staff all walk the Tiger’s path together. Alongside the Hanshin Tigers’ 90th-anniversary logo, it boldly conveys a powerful resolve.

Torakky (Torakki)

The Hanshin Tigers’ main mascot is “Toraiki.” He debuted in 1992 and is a tiger-themed character beloved not only by Hanshin fans but by many baseball fans. With his adorable appearance and humorous performances, he helps energize the ballpark. Toraiki also has a younger sister, Lucky, and a younger brother figure, Kita, and they appear together as a family.

Hanshin Koshien Stadium

The Hanshin Tigers’ home field is Hanshin Koshien Stadium, located in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Koshien Stadium opened in 1924 and is known as a historic ballpark. The Tigers play their home games there, and for many fans it is a special place that could be called a sacred ground. It is also famous as the venue for the national high school baseball tournaments, making it a place every baseball fan wants to visit at least once.

Masayuki Kakefu

The 1985 Hanshin Tigers had a legendary season crowned as champions of Japan, and the three consecutive home runs to the center-field back screen recorded in the April 17 game against the Yomiuri Giants at Koshien Stadium are remembered as an iconic moment in baseball history. The three players who hit the home runs were Randy Bass, Akinobu Okada, and Masayuki Kakefu. Not only were they the core of the Tigers’ lineup, but by capping the trio of blasts, they left a powerful impression on not just Hanshin fans but baseball fans across the country.

Pineapple Candy

Manager Akinobu Okada led the Hanshin Tigers to a championship in the 2023 season, and behind the scenes, “Pine Ame” candies were an indispensable part of it. He often kept a Pine Ame in his mouth on the bench, and this unique way of relaxing became a talking point both within and outside the team. His enjoyment of the candies was frequently featured on social media and in the news, and fans came to recognize it as one of his trademarks.