2002 Japan Series

The 2002 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball for the season. The 53rd edition of the Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants against the Pacific League champion Seibu Lions. The Giants swept the Lions in four games to win their 20th Japan Series championship.

Summary

Game summaries

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

hit a grand slam to open the floodgates for the Giants in a victory that saw them on the brink of winning the championship.

Game 4

With the game tied in the sixth inning, Koji Goto delivered a pinch-hit two-run triple to break the game open for the Giants, who rode off a complete game from Hisanori Takahashi, who struck out Tom Evans to end the game and the series.
Tomohiro Nioka was named MVP for his efforts in the series, which saw him collect nine hits in four games. The Giants were just the sixth team to win the Japan Series in a sweep. Two days later, Giants slugger Hideki Matsui announced his desire to play in Major League Baseball, which he would do in 2003.