"The Manpower!!!"

There's so much to like about the TOHOKU RAKUTEN GOLDEN EAGLES:
* The expansion team have performed as Japan's "lovable losers" during their first three seasons, losing 97 games in their inaugural season, 2005. The team was created to fill a void caused by the merger of the Orix Blue Wave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, which left only five teams in the PACIFIC LEAGUE.
* They play at KLEENEX STADIUM in Sendai, Japan.
* Their first "cheer song" was "THE MANPOWER!!!," performed by the all-girl group Morning Musume.
This season has opened with yet another reason to like the Golden Eagles -- they are actually winning games! At 16-13, the team are just a game-and-a-half behind the first-place SAITAMA SEIBU LIONS.
This past weekend, Domingo Guzman threw a two-hitter for his first shutout in five seasons as Rakuten beat the HOKKAIDO NIPPON HAM FIGHTERS, 4-0, for its fourth straight win.
"The Manpower" indeed!