Despite winning four pennants since 1992, the Yakult Swallows have remained one of the Central League's weakest teams for the last five decades. Compiling a franchise 2764-3274 with 232 ties, the Swallows' .458 winning percentage ranks fifth in the CL and eleventh in Japan. Only the Yokohama BayStars (.449) have won fewer games.

Founded in 1950 as the Kokutetsu Swallows, the team labored in obscurity for nearly three decades before they finally won their first pennant in 1978. But they quickly fell out of contention and spent most of the 1980s in second division.

But after hiring former Nankai Hawks slugger Katsuya Nomura to manage the team in 1990, the Swallows soared to the top of the Central League, winning five pennants and three Japan Series championships since 1992.

For more a more detailed and in-depth account of Swallows history...