The 1966 Japan Series was the 17th edition of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) championship series, held from October 18 to October 26, 1966. It pitted the champions of the Central League, the Yomiuri Giants, against the champions of the Pacific League, the Nankai Hawks. The Yomiuri Giants won the series four games to two, securing their sixth Japan Series title and their second consecutive championship as part of their historic "V9" dynasty.
Background
The 1966 series was a rematch of the 1965 Japan Series, which the Giants had also won, four games to one. Both teams were dominant forces in their respective leagues during this era.
- Yomiuri Giants (Central League Champions): Led by manager Tetsuharu Kawakami and star players like Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh, the Giants finished the regular season with a 89-44-7 record, comfortably winning the Central League pennant. This team was in the early stages of what would become a record-setting nine consecutive Japan Series titles (1965-1973).
- Nankai Hawks (Pacific League Champions): Managed by Kazuto Tsuruoka, the Hawks featured prominent players such as Katsuya Nomura and Kazuhisa Inao. They won the Pacific League pennant with an 84-46-4 record. The Hawks were a perennial contender in the Pacific League during the 1950s and 1960s.
Series Summary
The series was played in a 2-3-1 format, with games split between Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo (home of the Giants) and Osaka Stadium in Osaka (home of the Hawks).
- Game 1 (October 18, Korakuen Stadium): The Giants took an early lead in the series, defeating the Hawks.
- Game 2 (October 19, Korakuen Stadium): The Giants continued their strong performance, winning again to take a 2-0 series lead.
- Game 3 (October 22, Osaka Stadium): Moving to Osaka, the Hawks rallied to win their first game of the series.
- Game 4 (October 23, Osaka Stadium): The Hawks continued their momentum at home, evening the series at 2-2.
- Game 5 (October 24, Osaka Stadium): The Giants regained the lead with a crucial win in Osaka, putting them one victory away from the championship.
- Game 6 (October 26, Korakuen Stadium): Back in Tokyo, the Yomiuri Giants closed out the series with a decisive victory, securing the championship with a 4-2 series score.
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Shigeo Nagashima, the legendary third baseman for the Yomiuri Giants, was named the Japan Series MVP for his outstanding offensive performance throughout the series. Nagashima's clutch hitting and leadership were instrumental in the Giants' victory.
Legacy
The 1966 Japan Series was a significant chapter in the Yomiuri Giants' "V9" dynasty. It demonstrated their consistent dominance over Japanese baseball and solidified their reputation as one of the greatest teams in NPB history. For the Nankai Hawks, it marked another attempt to overcome the Giants, highlighting the intense rivalry between these two storied franchises during that era.