1973 Japan Series
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The 1973 Japan Series was the championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the 1973 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 (Nankai Hawks) vs the 2nd half winner (Hankyu Braves) for a best-of-five playoff (in the event that a team won both halves, which happened twice when the system was in place from 1973 to 1982, they simply advanced to the Japan Series); 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.
Summary
| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawks – 4, Giants – 3 | October 27 | Osaka Stadium | 27,027 |
| 2 | Hawks – 2, Giants – 3 | October 28 | Osaka Stadium | 28,135 |
| 3 | Giants – 8, Hawks – 2 | October 30 | Korakuen Stadium | 34,713 |
| 4 | Giants – 6, Dragons – 2 | October 31 | Korakuen Stadium | 38,270 |
| 5 | Giants – 5, Hawks – 1 | November 1 | Korakuen Stadium | 37,761 |