Yakult Swallows
The Yakult Swallows (ヤクルトスワローズ Yakuruto Suwarozu) are a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.
- Founded: 1950
- Formerly known as: Kokutetsu Swallows (1950-1965), Sankei Swallows (1965), Sankei Atoms (1966-1968), Atoms (1969), Yakult Atoms (1970-1973), Yakult Swallows (1974-)
- Home ballpark: 1978, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001
- Japan Series championships won (5): 1978, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001
The Swallows are named after their corporate owners, the Yakult Corporation. From 1950 to 1965, the company was owned by Japan National Railways and called the Kokutetsu Swallows; the team was then owned by the Sankei Shimbun from 1965 to 1968 and called the Sankei Atoms. Yakult purchased the team in 1970 and restored its original Swallows name in 1974.
Famous players of Yakult Swallows past and present are Masaichi Kaneda, Dave Roberts, Tsutomu Wakamatsu, Hiromi Matsuoka, Charlie Manuel, Bob Horner, Tom O'Malley, Terry Bross, Masato Yoshii, Kazuhisa Ishii, Shingo Takatsu, Atsuya Furuta and Japanese Professional Baseball
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!align=center|Central League
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|align=center| Yomiuri Giants | Chunichi Dragons | Yakult Swallows | Hiroshima Carp | Hanshin Tigers | Yokohama BayStars
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!align=center|Pacific League
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|align=center|Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes | Seibu Lions | Chiba Lotte Marines | Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters | Orix Blue Wave | Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
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|align=center|Japan Series | Japanese Baseball League (former)
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