Japan Baseball Weekly

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss a chat with Jay Jackson of the Lotte Marines, we deliver the latest update about a possible Opening Day date for the season, news on the recoveries of Atsushi Kataoka and Masataka Nashida from the coronavirus and handle some HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss a chat with single-season homer king Wladimir Coco Balentien of the Hawks, we take a quick look the possible schedule, talk about the Atsushi Kataoka’s announcement that the has coronavirus, and deal with some HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss a chat with BayStars reliever Spencer Patton, we look at the scheduling path to an NPB season, talk about the passing of Hall of Famer Junzo Sekine and give a brief tribute to Wayne Graczyk before handling some high-quality HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss an interview with former BayStars slugger Bobby Rose, we look at the NPB’s desire to have a 143-game season, talk about former NPB skipper Masataka Nashida being infected with the new coronavirus, hit on some of the ex-NPB players in the big leagues who are fleeing back to Japan and handle some HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss an interview with Hawks reliever Dennis Sarfate, we discuss Hanshin pitcher Shintaro Fujinami and two other Tigers being infected with the new coronavirus, chat about the possible schedule for the 2020 season and take a brief moment to acknowledge some friendly HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss a camp interview with former Yakult pitcher Tony Barnette, who is now a Swallows advisor & scout, talk about a few of the NPB practice limbo games, briefly look at Coach Guts and other assistants and handle some HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss an interview with right-hander Zach Neal, Seibu Lions Opening Day starter to-be, and examine the delay to the start of the NPB season before Beisbol Japones guru Claudio Rodriguez, Lotte blogger Steve Novosel and Lions blogger Christian Gin appear as special guests to help us break down and predict the Pacific League from one through six.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss an interview with new Yakult Swallows reliever Matt Koch, look at some of the highlights from preseason games and handle some HighHeat before Hanshin Tigers blogger T-Ray joins Jason Coskrey as special guests to add insight as we try to predict the Central League finish top to bottom.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen discuss chats with slugger Justin Bour of Hanshin and lefty Edwin Escobar of DeNA, we look at highlights from camps, honor legendary player and manager Katsuya Nomura, who recently died, and hit some HighHeat.

Jim Allen and John E. Gibson discuss interviews with former Yomiuri Giants slugger Warren Cromartie and former Hanshin Tigers and Giants southpaw Darrell May, offer up our personal highlights as camps open, briefly touch on the passing of former Dragons Hall of Fame player and skipper Morimichi Takagi handle some HighHeat.