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That last game was worse than the 2013 Detroit Tigers' last game, man. To have a game worse than a no-hitter, it takes skill.

wow guys so r000000d

--

Knights' End of Year Stats - 2017

As per custom, here's how everyone did this year

Batters ([#] = last year's totals):
NAME, AVERAGE, HOMERUNS, RBI, GAMES PLAYED [144 games a season]
Mitsuo Reiza, .322 [.306], 4 HR [3], 48 RBI [68], 134 games [139]
Koyato Oda, .353 [.331], 24 HR [11], 120 RBI [95], 135 games [136]
Yoshiro Ushida, .319 [.340], 15 HR [15], 98 RBI [78], 133 games [127]
Masato Kurihara, .358 [.320], 63 HR [59], 163 RBI [150], 133 games [141]
Daisuke Fukuchi, .347 [.296], 26 HR [26], 101 RBI [114], 138 games [140]
Xiao Zenigata, .289, 12 HR, 71 RBI, 123 games
Goro Shigeno, .316 [.294], 19 HR [2], 75 RBI [18], 103 games [34]
Akitaka Shimozono, .267 [.296], 12 HR [8], 69 RBI [77], 131 games [141]
Taiga Kura, .258 [.337], 15 HR [19], 61 RBI [102], 141 games [140]
Jun Sumiyoshi, .172, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 21 games
Takumi Nakahigashi, .200 [.286], 0 HR [0], 0 RBI [0], 4 games [2]
Hideo Nomoto, .381 [.000], 1 HR [0], 3 RBI [0], 12 games [6]
Ryouya Miyaki, .273 [.375], 0 HR [0], 2 RBI [2], 8 games [2]1
Iruma Kusaguchi, .344, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 16 games

Pitchers ([#] = last year's totals):
NAME, ERA, IP, K, WINS-LOSES (SAVES)
Kenta Maeda, 3.54 [?], 216.1 IP [?], 151 K [?], 19-6 [?]
Anthony Creek, 3.32, 206.1 IP, 119 K, 22-4
Ataru Hiyama, 4.25 [3.77], 207.1 IP [207.2], 142 K [179], 13-4 [17-4]
Kazuya Fujita, 5.56 [3.35], 189.1 IP [209.1], 86 K [174], 10-11 [16-4]
Sho Iwasaki, 6.48 [?], 148.2 IP [?], 87 K [?], 9-8 [?]
Jian Shen, 5.70 [3.57], 107.1 IP [219.1], 78 K [175], 6-4 (2) [20-3]
Shun Yamaguchi, 2.84 [?], 66.2 IP [?], 55 K [?], 5-2(2) [?]
Kan Uchino, 5.17 [3.44], 15.2 IP [18.1], 6 K [12], 1-0 (1) [2-2 (2)]
Mikiya Sawamura, 1.23 [2.25], 7.1 IP [16], 5 K [6], 1-0 [1-1 (2)]
Yoshio Fujii, 2.60 [2.10], 45 IP [30], 30 K [19], 1-0 (3) [2-1 (4)]
Ryo Fujioka, 2.75, 45 IP, 29 K, 6-2
Sakutarou Makida, 3.82 [2.45], 35.1 IP [33], 25 K [24], 4-0 (8) [0-1 (22)]
Yoshifumi Muranaka, 4.50 [5.22] 24 IP [29.1], 9 K [24], 3-1 [2-2]
Ryan Techer, 4.66 [5.73], 19.1 [22], 11 K [12], 1-1 (1) [3-1 (1)]
Naohiko Kikuchi, 4.67 [3.29], 34.2 IP [38.1], 12 K [28], 1-0 (1) [3-3 (1)]
Masahiro Morifuku, 2.36 [?], 34.1 IP [?], 20 K [?], 1-3 (23) [?]

Our pitching was A LOT worse, but the hitting spread out once Kanazawa was traded, since we no longer could depend on him and Kurihara for all the runs. Fukuchi really picked up the slack, as did Oda.

Overall, a pretty excellent season!

October 5, 2017

Seems that the Marines have made it to the second round, beating out the Hawks to play us. We may have finished 23.5 games ahead of them, but they're no slouch.

Chiba Lotte Marines - 9
Kyoto Knights - 8

Series tied 1-1

October 6, 2017

Chiba Lotte Marines - 6
Kyoto Knights - 5

Marines lead 2-1

October 7, 2017

Chiba Lotte Marines - 9
Kyoto Knights - 3

Marines lead 3-1

October 8, 2017

Chiba Lotte Marines - 4
Kyoto Knights - 10

Marines lead 3-2

October 9, 2017

Chiba Lotte Marines - 7
Kyoto Knights - 11

Series tied 3-3

October 10, 2017

Chiba Lotte Marines - 3
Kyoto Knights - 8

Knights take series 4-3!

October 11, 2017
Knights v. Samurais Round 4

For the 4th year in a row, the Knights shall be taking on the Samurais in the championship series.

This should prove to be an interesting one.

Nice comeback in the first round. Hopefully the second will be easier.

October 13, 2017

Kyoto Knights - 9
Sakai Samurais - 7

WP: Kenta Maeda
LP: Kerb
S: Masahiro Morifuku
HR: Fujita, Sugiya, Kurihara

Knights lead series 1-0

October 14, 2017

Kyoto Knights - 11
Sakai Samurais - 6

WP: Anthony Creek
LP: Kusahiko Shuai
S: --
HR: Shimazaki, Shimozono, Arime

Knights lead series 2-0

October 16, 2017

Sakai Samurais - 1
Kyoto Knights - 11

WP: Ataru Hiyama
LP: Hideki Kawabata
S: --
HR: Shimozono (2)

Knights lead series 3-0

October 17, 2017

Sakai Samurais - 4
Kyoto Knights - 3

WP:Naruki Johjima
LP: Kazuya Fujita
S: Takahiro Mahara
HR: Shimazaki

Knights lead 3-1

October 18, 2017

Sakai Samurais - 7
Kyoto Knights - 1

WP: Shigeru Takahama
LP: Sho Iwasaki
S: --
HR: Yagi, Aoyama (2), Naitoh

Knights lead 3-2

October 20, 2017

Kyoto Knights - 3
Sakai Samurais - 5

WP: Toshiya Kura
LP: Kenta Maeda
S: Takahiro Mahara
HR: Yagi, Kurihara

SERIES TIED 3-3

October 21, 2017

Kyoto Knights - 9
Sakai Samurais - 12

WP: Riku Hirabayashi
LP: Jian Shen
S: --
HR: Shimazaki, Shimozono, Ushida, Kura

Samurais take it in 7!

Nippon Sports Now
October 22, 2017
Samurais Strike for the Second Season Straight!



Sakai, Osaka - In a 7 game epic, the Samurais beat interleague rivals, the Kyoto Knights, winning last night's game by a final score of 12-9. Manager Kazumu Mori of the Samurais had this to say after the game, "I'm real proud of these kids. They have been blowing me away since the first game. I'm not surprised that we ended up here. And I'm not surprised that we ended up winning either. This series was truly nerve wracking, and I tip my cap to my brother Kensou of the Knights for putting up an excellent fight."

"I'm both proud and disappointed," said Kensou Mori, talking about his brother's win, "on one hand I'm glad to see my brother win for the second year in a row, and on the other hand, I'm disappointed that it had to be us on the losing side of that coin both years. Oh well, congratulations to the Samurais, they deserved it this year, no doubt."

The Samurais' win didn't come easy in the FIVE HOUR NINE INNING GAME that lasted well into this morning. "It was grueling," shortstop Shimazki said, "I'm just glad we came out on top."

The Samurais and Knights have met in the Championship Seires for four years in a row now, and the teams have split it 2-2. These are truly two evenly matched teams.

- Tsutomu Nishioka

I JINXED IT!!!!!!

heh, we really fell off a cliff the last 4 games, dun worry bout it

--

2017 Awards

Best Nine (best at position all around):
1B: Masato Kurihara
2B: Koyato Oda
OF: Yoshiro Ushida

Mitsui Golden Glove Award:
P: Kenta Maeda
OF: Mitsuo Reiza
OF: Xiao Zenigata

Accolades:
MVP: Masato Kurihara
Rookie of the Year: Anthony Creek
Batting Average Leader: Masato Kurihara
HR Leader: Masato Kurihara
RBI Leader: Masato Kurihara
(TRIPLE CROWN)
Most Valuable Pitcher: Anthony Creek
Wins Leader: Anthony Creek

Goddamn, we did well on the awards front this season!

That series truly disgusted me.

<3

Wow! You guys really fell of the table at the end.

I lol'd at the picture though. All but one player have Japanese skin, and there's one super pale dude on the side.

he looks like a ghost

spOOOooOoOOOOkyyyy

---

November 22, 2017

21:18

"...right. Uh hunh... Yeah, tomorrow... I know, I'm nervous... Heh, it's fine. Don't worry about it... Okay. See you."
I hung up my phone and placed it next to me on my bed. I leaned back and starred at my ceiling, one that I have been looking at for almost 4 years now.
"I never noticed... just how boring my ceiling is." I said aloud to an empty house.
"Tomorrow's the big day..."

-bzzbzz-
My phone gave off a dull buzz on the sheets of my bed.
I saw that it was Laisei who was calling.
"What's up Laisei?"
"Hey, so, uh, you're really going through with it, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Heh... Well, listen, Jack. You're a great guy. I really enjoyed working for you."
"Thanks, it really means a lot."
"I'll see you around, man."
"Yeah, see you."
-beep-

I felt a tear forming in my eye. I couldn't help but laugh.
"hahaha, maaaan. Seven years I've been here. Seven years that went by in a flash. God, a whoooole lot has happened." I laid down, "Jesus. And to think that this all started with that damn trial... I guess that was a blessing in disguise."

I got up and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. The only other person in the house was my reflection.

Did I do it...? Did I accomplish my dream...? Am I living the life I want to lead?

.

.

.

"Yes."

Is he leaving Japan for some woman? This is treason!

Whoa! Looks like I've missed a bunch of stuff. Kurihara breaking his own record... That's pretty intense, haha. Also, stinks about losing in the championship game, especially when you guys were up 3-0! Oh well, that must've been pretty crazy to watch/play. And Jack leaving? I guess this means the end, then, hahaha.

"So you're retiring?" Sara asked me over the phone
"...right."
"And you're doing it tomorrow?!"
"Uh hunh... Yeah, tomorrow."
"Jeesh, Jackie..."
"I know, I'm nervous."
"You better not be doing this for my sake."
"Heh, it's fine. Don't worry about it"
"Well, I'll see you soon, then, okay?"
"Okay. See you."

November 23, 2017

9:57

"So this is it, then?" Matsuo Kanegi and his wife, the owners of the Knights stood in front of me
"Yep. This is it." I replied
"Listen, Allen. You've... I can't even begin to express my appreciation for what you've done for this team. You took a bunch of kids and gave a banner to Kyoto. In the first year, no less! Allen... No, Jack, thank you for all you've done." Matsuo outstretched his hand
I gave him a firm shake. "Thank you for the opportunity, sir."
"Please. Call me Matsuo." he said with a smile
...Thank you for everything, Matsuo...

I made my way to the stage, stopping right at the edge.
Laisei was on the other side, giving me a big thumbs up.
Goddammit... Don't cry.

I stepped up to the podium and saw the sea of faceless reporters and blinding lights and cameras.
I cleared my throat, and put my papers down.
"...I've uh... I've called this press conference to announce my..."
This is a lot harder than I thought it would be...
I looked again over to my right to see Laisei, he mouthed "let it fly, Jack"

Right. This is what I want to do. This is what... I... Want to do.
I cleared my throat again, "ahem, sorry. Right. Okay. I've called this press conference to announce my... My... My retirement."

The crowd erupted, the din unintelligible and the flashes unbearable.
I could make out a whole lot of "why?"s
"Why am I doing this?" that immediately shut up the crowd, "Well, there are a whole bunch of reasons, really. But, the most prevalent would be... Jeez. I just miss home. I want to buy a house--my own house--settle down, start a family, get some dogs... Plus, it's time to pass the torch."
"To whom?" A voice from the faceless sea said
"To who else, but my first mate, Mr. Laisei Matsubara." I stretched my arm to my right and looked at his dumbfounded face.
"M-me?" He asked
"Come on out, Laisei."

Laisei sheepishly walked onto the stage and waved. He whispered to me, "you should've told me before, maaaan. Now I'll have some ugly looking pictures in the paper..."
"At least it'll be earnest."
"Is that the right usage of that word?"
"I dunno, just keep smiling."

Laisei and I smiled and waved at the crowd. I took the podium once again.
"It's been an honor to work here in Kyoto. Kensou... Matsuo... Laisei... All the players... All the fans... Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart... I've spent seven years here in Japan and they've been the best seven years of my life. But... It's time to leave. It's high time for me to go. I hope... no, I know, you will show Laisei the amount of respect you showed me. The Knights are a force to be reckoned with. Let's keep on showing that you can't underestimate a bunch of kids who play the game because they love the game. And... Kensou, keep on steering them in the right direction. Without you, I doubt we would be anywhere near as successful as we are now. So, everyone," I closed my eyes, "lets go Knights!"

All of the reporters stood up and rushed the stage. My response?
To, very coolly, exit stage right.

"You did good kid," Matsuo said as I walked by, "you did good."

.
.
.

Stephen was waiting in the back.
"I guess this is goodbye for now, huh?" he waited in front of the back exit
"Guess so."
"I can't believe you're leaving so soon..."
"Heh... Well... Yeah."
"It's been fun Jackie." He outstretched his hand for a shake
I batted it aside and went in for the kill--a hug.
"oh." he said
"I'm gonna miss you, man." I said, my voice wavering
"I'm gonna miss you too, bro."
...
"Well," I wiped my eyes, "I'll see you at Christmas, right?"
"Of course. Jenny and I will be making our yearly pilgrimage."
"Good."
...

"Bye Jackie."
"Bye... Stephen."

---

And that's all folks. I sure hope y'all enjoyed the Knights project, I definitely had a hell of a lot of fun doing it.

Until next time.

So... Is there gonna be a next time?

You can't just end Jack's life like that!

There's gotta be an end of the story!

So this is it for Jack, huh? Well done with it. It's a bummer to see this go, haha.