Japan Baseball Weekly Podcast

About Japan Baseball Weekly

Join hosts John E. Gibson, sports writer for Yomiuri's The Japan News, and Jim Allen, sports writer for Kyodo News Service, as they break down the ins and outs of Japanese baseball with weekly interviews and analysis.

RSS feeds are provided to plug into your podcatcher of choice, or listen to the podcasts right here. While much of the analysis is timely, many of the interviews are evergreen.

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Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.39

Yokohama Wins It All, Friend Kuehnert Dies, New Managers, Major Roki News, Favorite Moment of 2024 ...

Published: 2024-11-11T01:48:03
We look back at Yokohama DeNA taking down Fukuoka SoftBank to win the Japan Series, recognize Marty Kuehnert, who recently died, circle back to discuss the crop of new mangers, go Rockin With Roki Sasaki before he heads off to the big leagues and offer up our favorite moments of the season.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.38

Andre Jackson of Yokohama DeNA, Games 2 through 5, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-11-03T22:14:06
Right-handed starter Andre Jackson of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars is the guest, John and Jim take a look at Japan Series Games 2-5 and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.37

Kyle Keller, J.B. Wendelken, CLCS Finale, Game 1 of Japan Series

Published: 2024-10-27T20:52:57
Right-handers Kyle Keller of Yomiuri and J.B. Wendelken of Yokohama DeNA are the guests, John and Jim discuss the CLCS second-round finale, look quickly at the first game of the SoftBank-DeNA Japan Series matchup and add one note about the “unchanged” baseballs this season.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.36

Anthony Kay, CLCS And PLCS Discussion, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-10-20T14:24:46
Left-hander Anthony Kay of Yokohama DeNA is the guest, John and Jim discuss the games in the second round of the CLCS and PLCS matchups & then handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.35

Carter Stewart Jr., PLCS, Yokohama DeNA Sweeps 1st Round of CLCS, Manager Management, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-10-14T00:45:39
Carter Stewart Jr. of the SoftBank Hawks is the guest, we look at the first round of the PLCS, talk about the two-game sweep for Yokohama DeNA in the first round of the CLCS, chime in on all the managerial madness and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.34

Gregory Polanco, PLCS And CLCS Matchups, Sugano, Okada, Roki Rocks, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-10-06T12:11:54
Gregory Polanco of Chiba Lotte is the guest, we look at the PLCS and CLCS matchups, discuss pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano jumping to the major leagues, manager Akinobu Okada jumping off the Hanshin train, go Rockin with Roki & handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.33

Tyler Austin, Hawks And Giants Win Respective League Titles, Rockin with Roki, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-09-29T12:35:28
Tyler Austin of Yokohama DeNA is the guest, we look at the Hawks winning the Pacific and the Giants taking the Central leagues, the playoff races, go Rockin with Roki & handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.32

Keuchel, Playoff Races, Rockin With Roki, ShoBusiness, Tatsunami Out, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-09-22T12:18:54
Lotte starter Dallas Keuchel is the guest, we look at the playoff races, go Rockin with Roki, talk a little Shohei Ohtani (with a special appearance by Bobby Valentine), discuss Dragons skipper Kazuyoshi Tatsunami going up in smoke & handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.31

J.B. Wendelken, League Races, Rockin With Roki, Aoki Leads Retirements, HighHeat

Published: 2024-09-15T13:13:01
Yokohama DeNA BayStars reliever J.B. Wendelken is the guest, we take a quick look at the playoff races, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, discuss Norichika Aoki and other retirements and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.30

Foster Griffin, Races, August Stars, Giants Twilight Zone, Retirements ...

Published: 2024-09-08T12:49:34
Yomiuri lefty starter Foster Griffin is the guest, we discuss the playoff races in both leagues, look at the top performers of August, briefly go Rockin’ with Roki, talk about the Giants romancing the zone and close things out with a retirement note.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.29

Carp Hurler Taylor Hearn, Power Trax, Playoff Races, Roki, Shutouts, The Sho ...

Published: 2024-09-01T13:35:10
Hiroshima Carp reliever Taylor Hearn is the guest, we deliver our Power Trax segment, discuss the playoff races, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, look at the overall NPB shutout pace and understand the Sho will go on with Ohtani.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.28

Tony Barnette Talks New Book, Rockin with Roki, Playoff Races, HR Notes, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-08-25T13:03:37
Yakult pitcher and current Swallows scout Tony Barnette comes on to discuss his new book, "A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back," we go Rockin with Roki, look quickly at the playoff races, hit a note about home runs and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.27

Giants Reliever Kyle Keller, Rockin With Roki, A Pacific League Standings Moment, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-08-18T22:09:13
Yomiuri Giants reliever Kyle Keller is the guest, we go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, make a quick comment on the Pacific League standings and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.26

Ariel Martinez, Rockin With Roki, Koshien 100 Years Old, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-08-11T23:46:43
Nippon Ham catcher/OF/DH Ariel Martinez is the guest [via Claudio Rodriguez interpretation], we go Rockin with Roki, celebrate Koshien Stadium turning 100 years old and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.25

Javy Guerra, Tech Trouble, Power Trax, Top July Performers, Rockin with Roki

Published: 2024-08-04T23:58:21
Reliever Javy Guerra of Hanshin is the guest before tech issues sabotage things and John finishes up solo, handling the Power Trax, Top July Performers, Rockin with Roki segments to avoid a no-show.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.24

All-Star Series Review, Claudio Rodriguez Joins for Midseason Special ...

Published: 2024-07-28T12:45:28
All-Star Series review, Claudio Rodriguez of Beisbol Japones joins our midseason special as we discuss the first-half surprises, top candidates for MVP and rookie of the year from each league, and frontrunners for the Sawamura Award.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.23

Anthony Kay of DeNA, All-Star Series Roster Posture, Crazy Endings, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-07-21T12:48:13
First-year Yokohama DeNA lefty Anthony Kay is the guest, we talk about the rosters for the All-Star series, and the lack of Roki Sasaki on the Pacific League side, discuss some crazy endings to games and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.22

Franmil Reyes, Central League Standings Crunch, No-Hit Pitcher Profiles Past 20 Years, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-07-14T12:00:53
Nippon Ham slugger Franmil Reyes is the guest, we talk about the Central League crunch-bunch standings, dive into the profiles of no-hitter-throwing pitchers the past 20 seasons and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.21

Andre Jackson, Playoff Versions of BayStars and Fighters, June Stars, Oppo Tacos, Stink-Eye Moment ...

Published: 2024-07-07T12:29:30
DeNA pitcher Andre Jackson is the guest, we talk BayStars and Fighters as viable threats in the playoffs, take a look at the top performers of June, serve up some numbers on oppo tacos and spend some time on the Tatsunami-Ogasawara stink-eye moment this past week.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.20

Zelous Wheeler, Patrick Newman, Power Trax, Shutouts, Roki Rumors, Trade ...

Published: 2024-06-30T12:44:57
Yomiuri Giants coach Zelous Wheeler is the guest, we also have a special appearance by NPB Tracker Patrick Newman, hit our Power Trax power rankings segment, field more Roki Sasaki rumors and touch on a trade between the Lions and Giants.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.19

Bo Takahashi of Seibu, Potential MVP Candidates, Interleague Stats, Roki Rumor, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-06-23T12:35:42
Bo Takahashi of Seibu is the guest, we have a quick conversation about potential MVP candidates in both leagues, look at some interleague stats, touch on a Roki Sasaki rumor and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.18

Anderson Espinoza, Rakuten Wins 1st Interleague Title, Standings, Heavy Hitters, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-06-16T23:36:05
Anderson Espinoza of Orix is the guest, we look at the Rakuten Eagles winning their first interleague title, discuss the standings in both leagues, examine the heavy-hitting teams of NPB and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.17

Carter Stewart Jr., Interleague, Roki Sasaki, May Stars, Ishikawa

Published: 2024-06-09T11:38:17
Carter Stewart Jr. of SoftBank is the guest, we talk about Hiroshima Carp pitcher Daichi Osera throwing a no-hitter, hit some interleague highlights, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, try to predict the top performers of May and add some notes about Masanori Ishikawa and Tony Barnette.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.16

Cy Sneed of Yakult, Kazuo Matsui Out at Seibu, Interleague Week 1, Power Trax, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-06-02T12:32:29
Cy Sneed of Yakult is the guest, we look at Kazuo Matsui getting the boot from Seibu, don’t go Rockin with Roki, have segment No. 1 of Power Trax, examine the start of interleague play and close things out with some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.15

Tyler Austin, Rockin With Roki, Togo No-No, Laser Mannami, Mori, Interleague, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-05-26T13:20:18
Tyler Austin of DeNA is the guest, we go Rockin with Roki, discuss Shosei Togo tossing the first no-hitter for the Giants against the Tigers since 1937, dive into Laser Man Mannami's OF assists, hit notes about Tomoya Mori and his TrackMan data, look quickly at Interleague and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.14

Andres Machado, Adam Walker, The Standings, Rockin With Roki, Murakami HR 200, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-05-19T13:50:48
Andres Machado of Orix and Adam Walker of SoftBank are the guests, we talk about the standings, go Rockin with Roki, dive into Munetaka Murakami’s homer milestone and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.13

Claudio Rodriguez Sits In, Louis Okoye, is The Guest, CL And PL, Tsutsugo

Published: 2024-05-12T12:52:52
Claudio Rodriguez sits in for Jim Allen, Louis Okoye of the Yomiuri Giants is the guest, we talk about the status of both leagues, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki and look back at Yoshitomo Tsutsugo’s first top-team game since his return to NPB.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.12

Livan Moinelo, SoftBank, PL And CL, Roki Sasaki, Top Performers, Note, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-05-05T12:25:21
Livan Moinelo of SoftBank is the guest, we look at each league, go Rockin with Roki, take a crack at who will be named top performers of the month, hit a note about a new stadium and handle some HighHeat. ...
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.11

Neftali Soto, Rockin With Roki, Impressions, Punchless Baseballs, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-04-29T00:08:37
Neftali Soto of Lotte is the guest, we go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, offer our impressions - and depressions - about both leagues, discuss the punchless baseballs in NPB this season and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.10

Jesus Aguilar, Domingo Santana, Impressions Through Week 4, Tsutsugo is Back, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-04-21T12:41:19
Jesus Aguilar of Seibu and Domingo Santana of Yakult are the guests, we discuss impressions from both leagues through about four weeks, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki, touch on the return of Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to DeNA and handle some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.09

Cody Ponce, Rakuten, Week 3 Highlights, Roki Sasaki, Tommy Johns in NPB ...

Published: 2024-04-14T11:52:31
Cody Ponce of Rakuten is the guest, we look at highlights from Week 3 of the season, go Rockin with Roki Sasaki and discuss the notion of MLB learning from NPB when it comes to Tommy Johns surgeries.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.08

Alex Dickerson, Incomplete Dragons Lineup, Week 2 Action, Notion of Pitch Clock ...

Published: 2024-04-07T12:30:46
Chunichi newcomer Alex Dickerson is the guest, we discuss the Dragons and the missing players in their lineup, look back at Week 2 of action and examine the notion of a pitch clock in NPB.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.07

James Dykstra of Lotte, Roki Sasaki, Opening Weekend, Major Rule Change, Ohtani-Mizuhara Saga ...

Published: 2024-04-01T00:17:59
James Dykstra of the Lotte Marines is the guest, we have our first Rockin with Roki Sasaki segment, Jim and John discuss highlights from opening weekend and a major rule change MLB has imposed, and then toss in their 2 cents about the Ohtani-Mizuhara saga.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.06

PACIFIC LEAGUE PREDICTION SPECIAL, with guest Claudio Rodriguez

Published: 2024-03-24T23:33:41
Claudio Rodriguez of Beisbol Japones joins Jim Allen and John E Gibson to discuss their predictions as they lay out arguments for how the Pacific League playoff race will unfold this season.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.05

CENTRAL LEAGUE PREDICTION SPECIAL, with guest Claudio Rodriguez

Published: 2024-03-17T11:03:03
Claudio Rodriguez of Beisbol Japones joins Jim Allen and John E Gibson to examine the Central League teams from top to bottom and offer their predictions for the playoff race.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.04

Alessandro Maestri, Samurai Vs. Europe, Camps And Preseason Games

Published: 2024-03-10T12:24:59
Former Orix Buffaloes pitcher Alessandro Maestri is the guest, we look at the two Samurai Japan games against Europe, check in on the end of camps and the start of the preseason and hit some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.03

Deunte Heath, Samurai Japan Against Euro Stars, Camp Notes, HighHeat

Published: 2024-02-18T12:19:13
Former Carp and Lions pitcher Deunte Heath is the guest, we chat about the upcoming series between Samurai Japan and Europe, and take a brief look at camps before handling some HighHeat.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.02

Carter Stewart Jr., Roki Sasaki Contract Saga, Camps Open

Published: 2024-02-05T00:06:24
SoftBank pitcher Carter Stewart Jr. is the guest, we break down the Roki Sasaki contract saga and misinformation campaign, and take a quick look at the opening of camps.
Japan Baseball Weekly - Episode 14.01

Carlos Mirabal, MVPs, Notable Roster Changes, HighHeat ...

Published: 2024-01-14T12:09:04
Former Fighters pitcher Carlos Mirabal is the guest, we look at the MVPs in the Pacific and Central leagues – one choice that brings on a rant – player moves and then dive headfirst into some HighHeat.