Probably no Japanese team relies on one player as much as the Orix BlueWave depend on superstar outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. Preferring to be called by his given name, at age 21 Ichiro collected a record 210 hits in his first full season. Since his 1994 breakthrough, the three-time MVP has earned four batting titles while twice leading Orix to the Japan Series.

With a strong defense, plenty of good hitters and a deep pitching staff, the BlueWave would be a solid team even without Ichiro.

Long before Ichiro first smacked ball with bat, the BlueWave (originally the Hankyu Braves) had their share of stars. Playing all but the last two seasons of his career (1956-77) with the Braves, Tetsuya Yoneda compiled a lifetime 350-285 with 3388 strikeouts and a 22-year 2.91 ERA. From 1969-88, Yutaka Fukumoto stole a record 1065 bases while Gregory "Boomer" Wells (1983-92) earned a triple-crown in 1984 and compiled a ten-year .317 batting average with 277 home runs.

Founded in 1936 by the Hankyu rail company and named the Braves a decade later, the Osaka-area franchise joined the Pacific League in 1950. One of the strongest teams in the circuit, the Braves were purchased by the Oriental Leasing company (Orix) in 1988 and renamed the BlueWave two years later.

After years of playing at Nishinomiya Stadium, between Kobe and Osaka, Orix moved to Green Stadium Kobe in 1991. Located on the edge of Sogoundo Park, green trees surround the natural grass field with Major League dimensions, offering a relaxing baseball atmosphere.

With a 35,000 seating capacity, ticket prices are pretty reasonable but the right-field bleachers are always crowded with fans wearing blue and gold jerseys bearing Ichiro's #51.

Befitting a team that plays in a maritime town, the BlueWave's mascot Neppie carries a trident while performing on the field between innings.