1973 Japan Series
The 1973 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball for the season. The 24th edition of the Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants against the Pacific League champion Nankai Hawks. This was the first Japan Series held under a playoff system, albeit only on the Pacific League side, as they held a split-season that matched the first-half winner vs the 2nd half winner for a best-of-five playoff ; Nankai defeated Hankyu in five games. Despite having their worst record to win a pennant in years, the Giants defeated the Hawks in five games to win an NPB-record ninth consecutive Japan Series title.