It was a storybook ending for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, 2006 Japan Series Champions! They beat the Chunichi Dragons 4-1 last night to take the series in front of their home fans by the same margin. The success was of course a team effort, but outfielder Shinjo Tsuyoshi (34), playing in the first Japan Series of his 17-year career, grabbed most of the limelight. He announced earlier in the season that this would be his swansong, and he had tears running down his face during his final at-bat. He struck out, but the telegenic and flamboyant former Major Leaguer – whose agency also represents Hollywood star Watanabe Ken (47) – has already been swamped with offers from the showbiz world. Shinjo has a huge and varied fan base and his next career move could be anything from sports commentator to movie star.
The Fighters were in the Japan Series for the first time since 1962 when they were known as the Toei Flyers. In 2004 they left their home at Tokyo Dome and became the first pro team in Hokkaido, playing home games at the Sapporo Dome. They’re led by American manager Trey Hillman, just the second non-Japanese to lead a team to the yusho following Bobby Valentine’s success last year with the Chiba Lotte Marines. The win in game 5 went to 20-year-old Japanese-Iranian pitcher Darvish Yu, who beat Chunichi ace Kawakami Kenshin (31).
• Takuya (35), guitarist of the defunct J-pop unit Judy and Mary, has divorced his wife of two years. He and Takeshige Miho (24), a former popular geisha in The Gion district of Kyoto, married in June 2004 and held an elaborate wedding reception the following November. They separated last month and filed for divorce in mid-October. The main reason for the split is said to have been Takeshige’s inability to adjust to life in Tokyo. While a geisha, she went by the name Takachou. Judy and Mary were one of the most popular bands of the 90s, playing a melodic mix of pop, rock and punk and releasing seven albums. Vocalist Isoya Yuki is still performing solo under her given name, while bassist Onda Yoshihito has joined a band called Hot Rod Crue.