I wrote a long piece about Katsuya Nomura—the catcher with more home runs, games, and hits than anyone who ever played the position. He didn’t think of himself as talented. He thought of himself as observant. Japan's Favorite Players, No. 15.

Starting today, you can also find some of my pieces on the SABR Asian Baseball Research blog. Incredibly honored to be part of it.

My first paid-subscribers-only essay is live. It’s about the Blank Day—when Japanese baseball bent its rules to the breaking point over one pitcher.

I’ve been working on a long essay about the Blank Day, the most chaotic day in Japanese baseball history. It's a companion piece to my Suguru Egawa profile. It goes live tomorrow as my first paid-subscriber-only post. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/the-blank-...

Suguru Egawa was Japan’s most dominant pitcher—and its most polarizing. Branded a villain for managing his body, ignoring unwritten rules, and refusing to perform suffering on demand, he may have been the first modern athlete in NPB history. Japan’s Favorite Players, No. 16.

I wrote a long season recap of NPB in 2025. Hanshin was real. SoftBank was inevitable. Awards, MLB departures (Murakami, Imai, Okamoto), and a personal goodbye to Takashi Ogino at the end. ⚾🇯🇵 thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/nothing-fe...

My first post of the new year is about the most underrated skill in baseball: showing up. Takashi Toritani built a historic career by being there, every day, for a very long time.

Nothing like snow in Tokyo.

Happy New Year from Japan!

2025 was quite the year. I started a new job, celebrated one year of marriage, and began writing about baseball and life in Japan. Thank you all for reading, and I look forward to 2026! thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/looking-ba...

I moved to Japan exactly 5 years ago 🎉 ちょうど5年前に日本に引っ越してきた🥳

Merry Christmas! Here's my latest about Japan's favorite retired ballplayers. Next up, former Expos star Warren Cromartie. He came close to hitting .400 but refused to sit out. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...

Merry Christmas!

My wife has no idea these are going in her Christmas stocking.

My latest: a look at why doubleheaders don't exist anymore in Japanese professional baseball.

It's cold and rainy here in Tokyo.

Andre Jackson is reportedly set to sign with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He's spent the past two seasons pitching very well for Yokohama. A very nice early Christmas present for Lotte fans. news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/504...

My latest: number 19 on the list of Japan’s favorite retired players. Fun fact: I was unfamiliar with him before writing this. I hope I did him justice, Giants fans. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...

The first of many to come! Japan voted for its favorite retired baseball players. Number 20 is former Swallows, Giants, and BayStars star Alex Ramirez. #baseball #npb #japan thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...

My series on Japan’s favorite retired baseball players kicks off in a few hours with number 20 on the list: Alex Ramirez. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...

A TV show here in Japan asked the public to vote for their favorite retired baseball players. Here's how they ranked them. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...

My latest about NPB's discussion of changing their postseason format. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/npb-weighs...

A brief look at when Chiba Lotte looked very different. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/the-marine...

Misho Nishikawa of the Chiba Lotte Marines is the Pacific League Rookie of the Year! Well-deserved for Misho. #npb #baseball

In Osaka for a few days. Some pictures from the 1970 Expo Park. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japan-in-p...

Better late than never: my recap of the 2025 Japan Series #baseball #npb #japan thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/waiting-fo...

The SoftBank Hawks are the 2025 Nippon Series champions! Their first win in 5 years, and 12th overall. Tough loss for Tigers fans.. #baseball #npb #japan

Last weekend, Kana and I met our favorite baseball player. We're still smiling about it. Oh, and if you have any sweet potato recipes, let me know...

Yesterday, we got to meet our favorite player: Takashi Ogino. We dug up potatoes, took pictures, got a few things signed, and had a few short chats with him. He's incredibly kind. Probably one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. #japan #baseball #chibalotte

A short little piece about letting go of a franchise icon. Lots of change for Chiba Lotte this season, and not all of them have been popular with fans.

What a day. Fighters come from behind to win thanks to Franmil Reyes, and the BayStars walk it off in the 11th inning. I love baseball.

It's almost Halloween. Asagaya in Tokyo is ready.

The NPB postseason starts today! The first stage of the Climax Series begins at 14:00 Japan time. #baseball #npb #japan #october thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/npb-playof...

I recorded a podcast preview of the first stage of the #npb playoffs with Trevor Raichura. Give it a listen below! substack.com/@trevorraich...

It's hot as heck today.

Headed to ZOZO Marine Stadium for the final game of the season. It's a beautiful day for a game.

Masahiro Tanaka finally gets career win 200. #baseball #mlb #npb #yankees #japan

It's still hot in Tokyo but the playoffs are almost here. Catch up on the last two weeks of baseball in Japan. thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/autumn-not...

Twenty-year-old Yuto Kimura took a perfect game into the seventh inning and went on to pitch a complete-game shutout, giving the Marines their first of the season. #chibalotte #baseball #npb #japan

Hawks increase their lead in the Pacific League to 4.5 games over the Fighters. What a comeback for them, tying the game on a home run and taking the lead on a bases loaded walk.

What a win for the Seibu Lions. Tied it in the bottom of the 8th and walked it off in the bottom of the 9th.

Catch up on this week in Japanese baseball: The Tigers win the pennant in the Central, but who will come out in top in the Pacific? #baseball #npb #hanshin #japan thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/edge-piece...

Sometimes you just gotta spend the day watching baseball, doing impossible puzzles, and then eating some delicious hot pot.

I'm not a big ramen person, but this was pretty tasty.

My favorite players, Takashi Ogino and Katsuya Kakunaka. This is the perfect baseball card. 推し選手🥺 #chibaIotte #荻野貴司 #角中勝也

Roaring Tigers had no equal in CL on way to winning pennant in record time www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

Miyagi is not amused that Misho Nishikawa hit a home run.

みしょほむらん！(つД`)・ﾟ･

Your 2025 Central League pennant winners: Hanshin Tigers. #hanshin #baseball #npb #japan

Sometimes, you just want to eat conveyor-belt sushi. Don't let anyone tell you what is and isn't sushi. In addition to the usual tuna and salmon, I had cheeseburger, duck, and roast beef with truffle sauce. You can find all sorts of stuff on the menu.