Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 24

This is the 24th episode of the Seibu Lions ŌenDEN podcast. Christian and Wes return for the first time in two months, discussing the team through May.

Time stamps are below:

Intro @ 00:00
Full Lions (hitting, starters/relievers) talk @ 1:11
Team by Team Pacific League Observations @ 24:00
Central League and Interleague preview @ 43:40
R.I.P. Sachio Kinugasa @ 50:29
Soccer shoutouts and closing @ 53:10

Download link is also available here if the embed doesn't work.

Song used is "Motto Tooku e / もっと遠くへ" by Remioromen/レミオロメン. It was one of the walkup songs by Sosuke Genda.

Central League podcast from The Hanshin Tigers can be heard here, thanks to Trevor "T-Ray" Raichura.

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Special thanks again to @MistaMaxG for providing this graphic. 

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Episode 22, discussing the Lions and Shohei Ohtani

In an extra long two-part episode, Christian and Wes return checking in with all the developments that took place from October to the end of 2017.

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In the first half of the episode, Christian and Wes discuss the end of the 2017 season and how the NPB Draft went. Download link available here.

Part I:

00:00 Intro / Reflection on the 2017 season, Playoff loss to Rakuten

12:45 NPB Draft

26:14 NPB in MLB (Masahiro Tanaka, Kenta Maeda, Yu Darvish, Yuliesky Gurriel)

37:27 Japan Series thoughts and overtime extras on the Melbourne Aces and Asia Professional Baseball Championship

(After Japan Series, miscellaneous stuff preview already happened, this episode was recorded in early November) 

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In Part II, Christian and Wes go over the early offseason news with free agency, Kazuhisa Makita's value, Shohei Ohtani and more! Download link here.


Part II:

00:00 Intro, Personal life updates

4:15 Ryoma Nogami's free agency reaction, Compensation pickup of Hayato Takagi

13:58 Kazuhisa Makita's departure and value

21:15 Lions coaching staff changes

25:10 Renovation projects for MetLife Dome and other Lions facilities

28:13 Notable Lions salaries for 2018

36:26 Import signings Neil Wagner and Fabio Castillo

40:25 All things Shohei Ohtani

55:42 Asia Professional Baseball Championship recap

59:13 Recapping Kona Takahashi, Shunta Nakatsuka and Tomoya Mori with the Melbourne Aces

1:03:35 Closing

Christian was at a conference inside a large hotel as plenty of background noise was drawn. This was recorded before Christmas.  

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Special thanks to @MistamaxG for providing the image. 

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 21

This is the 21st Episode of the Saitama Seibu Lions podcast.  Christian and Wes discuss the team as a whole, previewing the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for stage 1 of the Climax Series and more!

Other topics include retiring players, new managers and even a few general national headlines.


We apologize for any errors or mistakes that may have happened.  Click here to download. Click here if the embed doesn't work.

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As a bonus, Christian and Wes ranked all 6 NPB playoff teams in a game format. Here were the results:

1. Softbank Hawks
2. Hiroshima Carp
3. Seibu Lions
4. Hanshin Tigers
5. Rakuten Eagles
6. Yokohama DeNA Baystars

Why are they ranked like this? It's explained in a bonus podcast episode below. Listen to find out.



Click here to download. Click here if the embed doesn't work.

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Special thanks to Max G. for the graphic. 

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 20

This is the 20th episode of our Lions ŌenDEN podcast.  Christian and Wes return to talk about the Satiama Seibu Lions perspective being better than last year. Other topics include the Pacific League, Yu Darvish being traded and the All-Star Series.

Note: This episode was recorded mostly on July 22nd. Due to the recent trade of Yu Darvish, we eliminated our Central League talk to talk about this trade and the Dodgers perspective.

We apologize for any errors or mispronunciations that unintentionally might've occurred.

Click here if the embed doesn't work. Click here to download.


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Special thanks to @MistaMaxG for providing a new graphic for this podcast. 

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions OenDEN Episode 19

Christian and Wes return with another podcast episode covering majority of interleague play being over, filling in on the team, progress and Stephen Fife's addition. Other topics include Central League thoughts, interleague observations and the recent passings of Tamotsu Nagai and Shinji Mori.

We apologize for any mispronunciations or errors that might have come up unintentionally. Majority of this episode was recorded on 6/23. Due to technical issues and later news, a few updates and changes had to be made.

Click here if the embed doesn't work. Click here to download.



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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 18

Christian and Wes return with the 18th episode of the Seibu Lions ŌenDEN podcast. They discuss the latest developments on the team, including Sosuke Genda and Shogo Akiyama. There are plenty of question marks also discuss with the team.

Other topics include previewing Interleague Play, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Chiba Lotte Marines and more!



Click here if the embed doesn't work.  Click here to download.

Podcast episode was recorded on 5/23.  We apologize for any errors or bloopers that were unintentional.  

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 17

This is the 17th episode of the Saitama Seibu Lions OenDEN podcast. Christian and Wes return with another monthly episode discussing all things Lions in English.

Graveyard Baseball goes over the Lions offense, defense, Manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji and the pitching staff. Other topics include the marketing, Pacific League observations and other tidbits regarding NPB news.

R.I.P. Wayne Graczyk.

We apologize in advanced for any mispronunciations or possible errors in this show. Episode 17 was recorded on April 22.

Seibu Lions profile, as featured on The Hanshin Tigers website.

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Click here if the embed doesn't work. Click here to download.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 16

This is the 16th episode of our Lions ŌenDEN podcast. Christian and Wes return with a full discussion on the Pacific League and the Saitama Seibu Lions.

In detail, they break down the team, each Pacific League team and dip into a little bit about the Central League. Once again, we apologize for any errors or mispronunciations that might have taken place.

Intro @ 00:00

All-Things Seibu Lions (position players and pitchers) @ 1:40

Lions 2017 Schedule Quirks @ 26:20

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles talk @ 28:55

Chiba Lotte Marines talk @ 33:00

Hokkiado Nippon-Ham Fighters talk @ 37:40

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks talk @ 43:15

Orix Buffaloes talk @ 49:30

Pacific League Predictions (Where do the Lions finish?) @ 54:42

Central League Talk @ 58:12

Award and Japan Series winner predictions @ 1:05:07

Shoutouts and Closing @ 1:07:30




Click here if the embed doesn't work. Click here to download.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Bonus Episode 2: 2017 World Baseball Classic

Christian and Wes return for another bonus episode previewing the entire 2017 World Baseball Classic. They predict each group, analyze Samurai Japan and Team USA, discuss a potential ending and who wins the tournament.

We would appreciate all feedback on this episode and what predictions do you have?

Here are the time stamps on each topic:

Intro and Samurai Japan analysis @ 00:00

Group A @ 16:30

Group B @ 28:05

Group C @ 34:40

Group D @ 42:30

Team U.S.A. Analysis and a stateside perspective @ 52:20

Predicting the Tournament @ 1:01:42

Miscellaneous WBC talk: Is this the final event? @ 1:04:40

Click here if the podcast embed isn't visible. Click here to download.




Note: This Episode was recorded before the news of Alex Reyes' injury, Khris Davis' doubts about playing in the WBC, and Adrian Gonzalez's possible injury. As well, as Commissioner Rob Manfred's press conference.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 15

This is the 15th episode of the Seibu Lions OenDEN podcast.  Christian and Wes discuss camp, foreign signings, other news on the Saitama Seibu Lions, WBC roster and more!

Another topic includes Tsutomu Ito making the Hall of Fame. We apologize for any errors or slip ups that might've occurred during this recording.

Edit: Shohei Otani has since been taken off the WBC roster.  We will have a future episode to discuss all matters on the WBC later this month. 



Click here if the embed doesn't work.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 14

This is the 14th episode of our Saitama Seibu Lions OenDEN podcast. Christian and Wes return with talk about Takayuki Kishi signing with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, FIP, player salaries and more!

We apologize for any mispronunciations and errors which might have occurred. This episode was recorded before Frank Garces and Alexis Candelario.

The song featured in this podcast introduction is "Hello, Goodbye and Hello" by Anri Kumaki. This song was featured in the credits at the end of the movie Children who Chase Lost Voices by Makoto Shinkai.



Click here if the embed doesn't work.  |  Click here to download.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 13

This is the 13th episode of the Lions ŌenDEN podcast.  In this episode, Christian and Wes talk about the Seibu Lions drat results, NPB Draft as a whole, a few offseason headlines and even discuss the U23 Baseball World Cup.

Other topics includes the Japan Series, retirements and more!



We apologize for any mispronunciations or errors that might take place in this podcast. Be sure to give us any feedback in the comments if possible. Click here to Download.  Click here if the embed doesn't work.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 12

This is the 12th episode of our Saitama Seibu Lions podcast, where things come full circle. The season ended for the team at the end of the September with plenty of things to breakdown.

Christian and Wes discuss the direction of the team and breakdown what went wrong and right for 2016. They bid farewell to Norio Tanabe and welcome Hatsuhiko Tsuji as the next manager. There is also discussion about the 2016 NPB Draft and a final prediction for the first round of the Climax Series. If anyone missed our postseason discussion, click here.



Click here if the embed doesn't work. Click here to download.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Bonus Episode 1: 2016 NPB Playoffs

In a special episode of Lions ŌenDEN, Christian and Wes breakdown the 2016 NPB postseason in a draft format. As a collaboration, they rank each of the six Climax Series teams based on their chance of winning the Japan Series.

This is not based on talent and roster alone, but rather the path required and matchups teams will face that determined this ranking. While some rotations and other factors helped us decide who goes in front of who, we considered all tangible options when picking the top and bottom.



Click here to download.  Click here if the embed doesn't work.

We would like to address that the Hiroshima Carp's record against the top Central League teams wasn't as dominant as B-class as said on this episode. However, we still would have placed them where they are in our rankings given the odds compared to the rest of NPB.

Did we get the rankings wrong?  Do you have other thoughts?  Let us know!

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 11 (R.I.P. Yasumitsu Toyoda)

Seibu Lions fans paid tribute to Yasumitsu Toyoda in Fukuoka, the first game since his death. The left sign spells "arigato" (thank you), the center sign says he was a "Nishitetsu stray Samurai Troop"

This is the 11th episode of our Lions OenDEN podcast, covering all things Saitama Seibu Lions in English.

Christian joins Wes in California for an in-person episode of the podcast.

There is coverage of all things Lions, especially with the bats waking up and the FIP study of the rotation revealed its results. We also say why tanking does nothing and the manager situation.

They then reflect on the passing of Lions great, Yasumitsu Toyoda. Other topics include former Seibu Lions, observations around NPB and more!

Note: Episode was recorded on 8/26. Wade LeBlanc was recently designated for assignment by the Mariners since.

Click here to download. Click here if the embed doesn't work.

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Our other Twitter handles:

Wes  |   Christian

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 10

This is the 10th episode of our podcast discussing the Saitama Seibu Lions. Discussion includes team failures entering historic territory, pitching, defense and offense. What is the problem? 

Other topics include the NPB All-Star Series, Yokohama DeNA Baystars, Tokyo Yakult Swallows and more! We apologize in advance for any errors and mispronunciations recorded from this episode.

Please leave any feedback in the comments if possible.  Click here if the embed doesn't work.  Download.

Highlights of Michael Bowden's No-hitter.

Our other Twitter handles:

Wes  |   Christian

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 9

This is the 9th episode of our podcast discussing the Saitama Seibu Lions. Discussion includes the team's rotation, Ichiro Suzuki, NPB's plate obstruction rule, Shintaro Fujinami and more!

We apologize for any errors and mispronounciations recorded from this episode. (Accidentally said Takumi Kuriyama instead of Fighters' manager Hideki Kuriyama. Please leave any feedback in the comments.  Click here if the embed doesn't work.  | Download here.

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Note: Podcast episode was recorded on 6/25. Several events (and losses) have happened since, as the Lions are currently 10 games behind the Fighters in the standings.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 8

This is the eighth episode of our Seibu Lions ŌenDEN podcast.  Wes Mills and Christian Gin discuss the problems with the team, the status of the rotation and bullpen as well as the few positives in what has been a dark month.

There is also discussion on two non-Lions NPB observations including one on Shohei Otani. Lastly, a few tidbits including how the Oakland A's made a transaction due to Japan playing a factor at 59:33.

We apologize for any sound errors and equipment troubles. We also apologize for any mispronunciations and other errors. Click here if the Embed doesn't work.  Click here to download.

Please be sure to give us feedback in the comments.

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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 7

This is the seventh episode of Lions ŌenDEN.

In this episode, Christian Gin and Wes Mills about the Saitama Seibu Lions through the first month of the year. There is also discussion on marketing, Pacific League observations, reaction to media predictions and more! 

We apologize for any mispronunciations and sound errors. This recorded on April 18, prior to the series against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

Be sure to provide any feedback in the comments if possible. Click here if the embed doesn't work. To download, click here. 





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Graveyard Baseball Podcast: Lions ŌenDEN Episode 6

This is the sixth episode of Lions ŌenDEN.

In this episode, we talk about the Saitama Seibu Lions by each position. We also discuss the outlook of Norio Tanabe, Kazuhiro Kiyohara's arrest and previewing the entire Pacific League. As a bonus, some talk on the Central League is also here.

We apologize for any mispronunciations and errors. This was recorded partially from a public library, where the background noise has other conversations. Thanks again for listening.

Be sure to provide any feedback in the comments if possible. Click here if the embed doesn't work.


Corrections:

-Yuki Matsui is a solid closer for Rakuten and the back end of their rotation will be upgraded with Kam Mickolio being healthy.

-The Lions went 6-17-2 against the Hawks last year.

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