Chiba Lotte Marines

About

One of the most successful teams in the country, Chiba Lotte Marines boasts a legacy that few teams of the Pacific League can match. Founded in 1949, the team was quick to gain a foothold on the league, winning both the Pacific League and Japan Series championships in its debut season. The team would not stop there, it would go on to win a more titles in the next two decades, however it suffered a slump in form in the late 1970s. It the suffered a trophy drought for the next thirty years, before getting back to winning ways in 2005. The club has also been home to a number of international superstars including Hideki Irabu, Tadahito Iguchi and Yasuhiko Yabuta.