They aren’t just a baseball team—they’re a dynasty, a media empire, and, to some, the sport’s ultimate villain. Love them or loathe them, the Yomiuri Giants have shaped Japanese baseball like no other club. With a history built on dominance, controversy, and a knack for grabbing the biggest stars, they remain the team everyone talks about.

All eyes are set on the Tokyo Series. Not just because of the Dodgers and the Cubs, but because Japan’s most decorated baseball team will take the field against both of them. The Giants will be looking at this as an opportunity to showcase Japanese baseball’s immense talent and prove to the world not to sleep on them.

Yomiuri Giants’ origin, foundation, ownership, history, and more

Also called “Kyojin”, the Yomiuri Giants are the oldest franchise in Japanese baseball history. Not only that, they are also the most successful name in Japanese baseball. The club started when MLB superstars including Babe Ruth went to tour Japan in 1934. This was actually an All-Star Japanese baseball team. To create a competitive squad, Matsutaro Shoriki, a media tycoon, assembled the best players in the country and called the team the Great Japan Tokyo Baseball Club.

When the Japanese Baseball League (JBL) was established, they joined it under the name of Tokyo Giants and started to rule the league. They were rebranded into the Yomiuri Giants taking the make of the owner Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. The team was so dominant that between 1936 and 1949, they won the JBL 9 times and this legacy did not stop. Even after the NPB started, the Giants’ dominion in Japanese baseball persisted with 36 Central League Pennants & 22 Japan Series titles.

How much is their net worth? Inside the earnings of Yomiuri Giants

Being the oldest Japanese baseball team comes with its perks. As of 2024, the Giants are worth $1.79 billion. Thanks to their fans and other investments, the Yomiuri Shimbun is able to keep up with the league and make a huge impact on Japanese baseball.

Who are the big names that played for them? Know all from the past and present

Since the time the Yomiuri Giants were established, they have been known to go out and spend cash to get big talents. In the past, they had players like Sadaharu Oh who holds the world record for most home runs and was a crucial part of the V9 Dynasty that won the NPB 9 consecutive times. Hideki Matsui is a well-known name in NPB and MLB. Also Known as “Godzilla,” he hit 332 HRs for the Giants before moving to the MLB and becoming the World Series MVP with the 2009 Yankees.

They also have upcoming stars like Shosei Togo, an ace pitcher. He was a major part of the Japan team that won the WBC 2023. They also have Kazuma Okamoto, who is their biggest power hitter and their captain. He was also the WBC 2023-winning team captain. Okamoto was also linked to the MLB as a potential posting candidate.

Rivalries: Know the teams, past matchups, and more

The NPB has some classic rivalries in baseball history. The first that comes to mind is with the Hanshin Tigers. Two of the oldest clubs in NPB going head to head is always an excitement. But the Giants have always had the upper hand. This rivalry has always been compared to the one between the Yankees and the Red Sox. After the 2023 win by the Tigers, the rivalry has become even more heated.

The Giants also have a healthy rivalry with the Chunichi Dragons. Both these teams are in the same league and are always fighting for the status of top dog. But this feud is not as heated as the one with the Tigers. As a matter of fact, the rivalry was actually at its highest during the 1970s and 2000s when the Dragons were constantly troubling the Giants.

Tokyo Series: What to expect from them in matchups against the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers

This exhibition game will be like spring training for the Yomiuri Giants. Before the season starts on 28 March for the Giants, they will be able to test their strength against top teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. And when the season starts they will be looking to reclaim the throne that has evaded them since 2012.

When and where to watch the Tokyo Series? All the details are shared

With the Tokyo Series starting on March 18, these exhibition games will be held on the 15 and 16. The Giants will first play the Dodgers on March 15 and against the Cubs on March 16. Both the games will start at 5:00 a.m. PT / 8:00 a.m. ET.

The MLB Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and the Cubs will start on March 18. Both Game 1 and Game 2 can be seen on Fox Sports in the USA Prime Video in Japan. The first game will start at 3:00 a.m. PT / 6:00 a.m. ET and the second at the same time but on March 19.