:Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

{{Main|History of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

{{Further|2004 Nippon Professional Baseball realignment}}

During Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) 2004 season, the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave announced that the two teams planned to merge into one for the start of the 2005 season. Both teams were in the Pacific League (PL), and a merger between the two would result in a team imbalance with the PL's opposing league, the Central League (CL).{{cite web |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/06/15/sports/buffaloes-bluewave-owners-reach-basic-merger-agreement/ |title=Buffaloes, BlueWave owners reach basic merger agreement |access-date=November 20, 2013 |work=The Japan Times |date=June 15, 2004 |agency=Kyodo News}} As a large number of players and personnel were expected to lose their jobs when the merger was finalized, the players conducted a two-day strike on September 18–19, 2004. With the threat of further strikes looming, team representatives agreed to ease the rules of entry for new teams into NPB and that one would be allowed to join the following season. To fill the void left by the merger, internet services companies Livedoor and Rakuten submitted applications to form teams to be based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.{{cite web |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2004/09/24/announcements/baseball-players-reach-deal-with-management/ |title=Baseball players reach deal with management |access-date=February 17, 2017 |work=The Japan Times |date=September 24, 2004 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220185545/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2004/09/24/announcements/baseball-players-reach-deal-with-management/ |archive-date=February 20, 2017 |url-status=unfit}} NPB selected Rakuten to create a Sendai-based PL team.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/11/03/baseball/mlb/rakuten-awarded-pro-baseball-team/ |title=Rakuten awarded pro baseball team |access-date=September 27, 2017 |work=The Japan Times |date=November 3, 2004 |agency=Associated Press}} The team would play its home games in Miyagi Baseball Stadium, which was being renovated by Rakuten.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/12/12/baseball/can-upgraded-home-stadiums-give-boost-baystars-eagles/ |title=Can upgraded home stadiums give boost to BayStars, Eagles? |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |date=December 12, 2015 |author=Graczyk, Wayne}} Marty Kuehnert and Yasushi Tao were hired as general manager and manager, respectively, of their newly named "Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles" baseball club.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/10/06/baseball/mlb/kuehnert-to-head-rakuten-team/ |title=Kuehnert to head Rakuten team |access-date=September 27, 2017 |work=The Japan Times |date=October 6, 2004 |agency=Associated Press |author=Armstrong, Jim}} The name is derived from the Japanese golden eagle, a large, endangered, predatory bird found in the mountains of Japan's Tōhoku region,{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/16/national/japanese-golden-eagles-face-extinction-as-numbers-dive/ |title=Japanese golden eagles face extinction as numbers dive |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |date=March 16, 2015 |agency=Kyodo News}} and it is the only NPB team that includes the name of an entire Japanese region rather than only a prefecture or city.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCC22B610S5A420C2000000/ |title=楽天モバイルパーク宮城、選手が観客とハイタッチ　交流促進 |trans-title=Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi: Players high-five spectators to promote interaction |access-date=May 4, 2025 |work=The Nikkei |date=May 2, 2025}}

Instead of allowing the Eagles to draft players from all 11 NPB teams in an expansion draft, the team had to construct their roster from the 107 players left over from the dissolved Kintetsu and original Orix teams during a special dispersal draft. Orix was allowed to protect 25 players from the distribution process before the draft, thus giving them preferential signing rights. Included in these selections were all free agents and foreign players. Rakuten was then allowed to select 20 unprotected players, not including any first- or second-year players. After that, the first- and second-year players were unprotected and Orix and Rakuten alternated selecting 20 more players for the last round of the draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/11/09/baseball/japanese-baseball/new-teams-choose-107-players-in-distribution-draft |title=New teams choose 107 players in distribution draft |access-date=August 20, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |date=November 9, 2004 |agency=Kyodo News}} The league's decision to employ an unequal dispersal draft to build the Eagles roster was blamed for the team's struggles to come.{{cite web |url=http://www.hochi.co.jp/feature/TO001019/20160411-OHT1T50086.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414023815/http://www.hochi.co.jp/feature/TO001019/20160411-OHT1T50086.html |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |title=【あの時・楽天屈辱からの日本一】（３）田尾解任、野村退任の真相 |language=ja |trans-title=Best in Japan from Rakuten disgrace at the time (3) The truth of Tao's dismissal and Nomura's retirement |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=Sports Hochi |date=April 11, 2016 |author=Sakai, Takayuki}} Rakuten was able to select former Buffaloes outfielder Koichi Isobe because he was left unprotected by Orix after refusing to play for their newly formed team.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/10/26/general/eagles-not-showing-progressive-thinking-in-hiring-nomura-as-new-manager/ |title=Eagles not showing progressive thinking in hiring Nomura as new manager |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |date=October 26, 2005 |author=Gallagher, Jack}} Similarly, the Eagles were able to acquire Buffaloes star pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. Despite voicing that he had no intention of playing for the merged team, Orix still protected him. After, negotiations took place between Iwakuma and Orix that resulted in Orix trading him to the Eagles.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/12/23/baseball/mlb/golden-eagles-get-their-ace-iwakuma/ |title=Golden Eagles get their ace Iwakuma |access-date=August 20, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |date=December 23, 2004 |agency=Kyodo News}}

Just over a month into their first season, the Eagles removed Kuehnert as general manager and demoted the head and batting coaches following a 6–22 start.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/05/08/baseball/nearly-all-agree-kuehnert-wasnt-given-fair-shot-by-eagles/ |title=Nearly all agree Kuehnert wasn't given fair shot by Eagles |date=May 8, 2005 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Graczyk, Wayne}} The team finished 51.5 games out of first place{{cite web|url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/3390.html |title=9/3（火）初代監督・田尾安志氏来場！2005年の創設メンバーが集結！ |trans-title=9/3 (Tues) The first manager, Yasushi Tao, is here! The 2005 founding members come together! |language=ja |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |date=August 13, 2013|access-date=August 17, 2020}} and was the first NPB team in 40 years to lose over 90 games in a single season. As a result, ten players were released,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/09/28/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-to-release-seven-players/ |title=Eagles to release seven players |date=September 28, 2006 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} and Tao was dismissed despite being signed to a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/09/27/baseball/japanese-baseball/golden-eagles-throw-in-the-tao/ |title=Golden Eagles throw in the Tao |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=September 29, 2012 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} In an otherwise disastrous season, one highlight was the team's home debut. Only five months after being awarded a franchise and without a preseason game as a dry run, Rakuten ran and operated the game smoothly in front of a packed, partially-renovated Miyagi Stadium. It was also estimated that the economic impact of the team in the Tōhoku region was $300 million in the first year.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/04/06/general/triumph-in-tohoku-staff-of-eagles-works-miracle/ |title=Triumph in Tohoku: Staff of Eagles works miracle |date=April 6, 2005 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Gallagher, Jack}} Rakuten planned to spend more than ¥1 billion on enhancing player training and about ¥3 billion on the continuing remodel of the ballpark.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/09/29/business/rakuten-eagles-not-whiffing-at-profit/ |title=Rakuten Eagles not whiffing -- at profit |date=September 29, 2005 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} The stadium's off-season renovations expanded its seating capacity and added amenities.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/07/23/baseball/marty-k-still-alive-and-well-in-eagles-nest/ |title=Marty K. still alive and well in Eagles' nest |date=July 23, 2006 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Graczyk, Wayne}} Mikitani looked to experience to lead the Eagles in its second season when he replaced first-time manager Tao with Hall of Famer and veteran manager Katsuya Nomura,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2005/10/26/general/eagles-not-showing-progressive-thinking-in-hiring-nomura-as-new-manager/ |title=Eagles not showing progressive thinking in hiring Nomura as new manager |date=October 26, 2005 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Gallagher, Jack}} signing him to a three-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2007/10/06/baseball/japanese-baseball/nomura-set-to-7return-to-rakuten/ |title=Nomura set to return to Rakuten |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=September 22, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The team improved slightly over its first season,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2007/09/23/baseball/nomura-deserves-credit-for-making-eagles-respectable/ |title=Nomura deserves credit for making Eagles respectable |date=September 23, 2007 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Graczyk, Wayne}} and third baseman José Fernández went on to receive the Eagles' first Best Nine Award in his first season with the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/11/15/baseball/japanese-baseball/ogasawara-fukudome-given-mvp-awards-for-2006-season/ |title=Ogasawara, Fukudome given MVP awards for 2006 season |date=November 15, 2006 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Nagatsuka, Kaz}} However, the 2006 season also brought the Eagles' their first no-hit loss,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/05/26/baseball/japanese-baseball/guttormson-pitches-no-hitter-for-yakult/ |title=Guttormson pitches no-hitter for Yakult |date=May 26, 2006 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times}} and they still finished last in the Pacific League.{{cite web|url=https://npb.jp/bis/2006/stats/ |title=2006年度 公式戦成績 |trans-title=2006 Official Results |language=ja |access-date=September 13, 2020 |publisher=Nippon Professional Baseball}} At the end of the season, Rakuten drafted pitcher Masahiro Tanaka in the first round of the 2006 amateur high school draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/09/26/baseball/japanese-baseball/kanemura-hit-with-fine-suspension/ |title=Tanaka tapped |date=September 26, 2006 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |work=The Japan Times}}

The Eagles' first real signs of improvement came during the 2007 season, the team's third. Takeshi Yamasaki led the league in home runs through May and was named the PL MVP for the month of May, the team's first.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2007/06/06/baseball/japanese-baseball/yamasaki-wins-pl-mvp-award/ |title=Yamasaki wins PL MVP award |date=June 6, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} He went on to be selected by fans to the Pacific League All-Star team for the 2007 All-Star Series, receiving the most votes of any player overall. With one of the All-Star games being played at the Eagles' home stadium that year, fans also voted in seven other Rakuten players, including rookie pitcher Tanaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2007/07/03/baseball/japanese-baseball/rakuten-dominates-all-star-voting/ |title=Rakuten dominates All-Star voting |date=July 3, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} Rakuten finished the season with a losing record, however, for the first time they did not finish the season in last, instead finishing in fourth. At the end of the season, Yamasaki led the league in both home runs and runs batted in (RBIs) and Tanaka was awarded the PL Rookie of the Year Award.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=60a95691 |title=2007 Japan Pacific League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 19, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2008/03/10/baseball/pair-of-rookie-hurlers-could-make-big-impact-for-their-teams-this-season/ |title=Pair of rookie hurlers could make big impact for their teams this season |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} The team finished fifth next season, however, Iwakuma finished with the best earned run average (ERA) and most wins in the league after struck by injuries the previous few years.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2008/11/22/baseball/japanese-baseball/iwakuma-ramirez-earn-mvp-honors/ |title=Iwakuma, Ramirez earn MVP honors |date=November 22, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}}{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2008/09/12/baseball/japanese-baseball/stellar-in-sendai-iwakuma-bright-spot-for-lowly-eagles/ |title=Stellar in Sendai: Iwakuma bright spot for lowly Eagles |date=September 12, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} At season's end, he was presented with his and the team's first PL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Eiji Sawamura Awards. In the 2008–09 offseason, the Eagles extended Nomura's contract to keep him on as manager for one more year.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2009/10/11/kiji/K20091011Z00001750.html |title=野村監督 やっぱり"解任"！ケンカ別れへ |trans-title=Manager Nomura still "dismissed"! They're breaking up |date=October 11, 2009 |language=ja |access-date=December 15, 2020 |work=Sports Nippon}} Rakuten secured second place in the Pacific League the next season and advanced to the Climax Series for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/10/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-earn-right-to-host-first-round-of-pl-climax-series/ |title=Eagles earn right to host first round of PL Climax Series |date=October 10, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/22/baseball/japanese-baseball/nomura-has-nothing-to-fear/ |title=Nomura has nothing to fear |date=October 22, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Nagatsuka, Kaz}} A pair of complete game wins at home both by Iwakuma and Tanaka in the first stage allowed the Eagles to advance{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/19/baseball/japanese-baseball/sour-feelings-linger-as-nomura-marches-on/ |title=Sour feelings linger as Nomura marches on |date=October 19, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} but the team lost to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in four games in the second stage, ending their season.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/25/baseball/japanese-baseball/dejected-nomura-ends-reign-as-rakuten-manager/ |title=Dejected Nomura ends reign as Rakuten manager |date=October 25, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Nagatsuka, Kaz}}

Rakuten hired American Marty Brown to succeed Nomura as manager. Even though Brown was signed to a two-year contract, he was let go a year later after the Eagles finished the 2010 season in last place.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2010/09/30/baseball/japanese-baseball/rakuten-fires-manager-brown/ |title=Rakuten fires manager Brown |date=September 30, 2010 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} The club looked to Senichi Hoshino next to turn the team around.{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2010/10/23/baseball/japanese-baseball/abes-ninth-inning-hr-lifts-giants/ |title=Hoshino to take job |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=October 23, 2010}} Kazuo Matsui and Akinori Iwamura, both returning from playing stints in Major League Baseball (MLB), were also added to the roster,{{cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2010/12/07/sports/iwakuma-gives-up-on-making-move-to-mlb/ |title=Iwakuma gives up on making move to MLB |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=December 7, 2010}} and Teppei Tsuchiya was named as the team's first ever captain.{{cite news |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/f-bb-tp0-20110218-738563.html |title=【楽天】鉄平が初代キャプテン就任 |trans-title=[Rakuten] Teppei becomes the first captain |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=Nikkan Sports |date=February 18, 2011}} On March 11, 2011, two weeks before the first game of the season, the Tōhoku region was struck by the largest earthquake in the country's history. The quake and the subsequent tsunami devastated the region, including the Eagles' home city of Sendai.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/13/japan-tsunami-earthquake-power-cuts |title=Tsunami, earthquake, nuclear crisis – now Japan faces power cuts |last=Branigan |first=Tania |date=March 13, 2011 |work=The Guardian |access-date=December 17, 2020}} With the season opener postponed until April 12,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/12/baseball/japanese-baseball-finally-ready-to-get-season-under-way/ |title=Japanese baseball finally ready to get season under way |date=April 12, 2010 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} the team continued to train in the Kansai region because of the aftermath in Sendai.{{cite web |url=http://www.daily.co.jp/baseball/2011/03/17/0003872497.shtml |title=星野楽天、関西開幕準備…復興まで拠点 |trans-title=Rakuten's Hoshino prepares for Kansai season opener... until their home is rebuilt |language=ja |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=Daily Sports |date=March 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319191306/http://www.daily.co.jp/baseball/2011/03/17/0003872497.shtml |archive-date=March 19, 2011 |url-status=unfit}} In addition to Rakuten holding fund-raising events,{{cite web |url=http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/110406/bsh1104060505002-n1.htm |title=楽天が試合後に募金活動、岩隈「ありがたい」 |trans-title=Rakuten's post-game fundraising, Iwakuma: "Thank you" |language=ja |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=Daily Sports |date=April 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412105743/http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/110406/bsh1104060505002-n1.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=unfit}} all 12 teams played charity games to help raise money for earthquake relief. They hosted their first "home" game at Koshien Stadium while restoration work to Miyagi Stadium continued.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2011/04/15/kiji/K20110415000634670.html |title=マー君、甲子園で今季初勝利！山崎三塁打などで楽天逆転勝ち |trans-title=Ma-kun wins his first game of the season at Koshien! Rakuten comes from behind with Yamazaki triple |date=April 15, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 18, 2020 |work=Sports Nippon}} Baseball returned to Sendai on April 12, when the Eagles played their first game at their home field.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/30/baseball/japanese-baseball/emotions-run-high-in-eagles-home-win/ |title=Emotions run high in Eagles' home win |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} Furthermore, the final game of the 2011 All-Star Series was switched from Tokyo Dome to Miyagi Stadium, the second time the Eagles hosted the event since 2007.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2011/06/02/kiji/K20110602000938830.html |title=オールスター４年ぶり仙台開催 ７月２４日第３戦 |trans-title=All-Star Game 3 to be held in Sendai on July 24 for the first time in four years |date=June 6, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 18, 2020 |work=Sports Nippon}} Rakuten finished the 2011 season in fifth and again missed the playoffs.{{cite web |url=https://npb.jp/bis/eng/2011/standings/ |title=2011 Standings |access-date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=Nippon Professional Baseball}} However, in addition to winning a Golden Glove and a Best Nine award,{{cite web |url=https://npb.jp/award/2011/pl.html |title=2011年度 表彰選手（パシフィック・リーグ） |trans-title=2011 Awarded Players (Pacific League) |access-date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=Nippon Professional Baseball |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://npb.jp/award/2011/voting_glove.html |title=2011年度 三井ゴールデン・グラブ賞 投票結果 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=Nippon Professional Baseball |language=ja |trans-title=2011 Mitsui Golden Glove Award Voting Results}} Tanaka was also named PL MVP of the month three times over the course of the season, a first for the Pacific League.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1675.html |title=田中将大選手が10月度「日本生命月間MVP賞」を受賞 |trans-title=Masahiro Tanaka receives the Nippon Life Insurance Monthly MVP Award for October. |language=ja |date=November 1, 2001 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127024619/https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1675.html |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |url-status=unfit}}

After the season, Hisashi Iwakuma left the club to play in MLB.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7430017/seattle-mariners-sign-hisashi-iwakuma-one-year-deal |title=Mariners sign P Hisashi Iwakuma |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |work=ESPN.com |author=Crasnick, Jerry}} Rakuten went deep into the 2012 season as a playoff contender that year, but ultimately missed advancing to the Climax Series by one game and finished fourth.{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/02/03/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-facing-big-challenges-in-bid-to-make-playoffs/ |title=Eagles facing big challenges in bid to make playoffs |access-date=December 18, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Graczyk, Wayne |date=February 3, 2013}} Before the start of the 2013 season, the Eagles signed former MLB players Casey McGehee and Andruw Jones. The Eagles finished April in fifth place,{{cite web |url=http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/rakuteneagles/2013league-champion/story/ |title=パ・リーグ初優勝 特設サイト |trans-title=Special site for the first victory in the Pacific League |language=ja |access-date=January 29, 2021 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407043617/http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/rakuteneagles/2013league-champion/story/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=unfit}} however, the next two months saw Tanaka winning consecutive PL MVP of the month awards,{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/09/06/baseball/japanese-baseball/tanaka-breaks-ichiros-mark-for-monthly-mvp-honors/ |title=Tanaka breaks Ichiro's mark for monthly MVP honors |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} helping the club to finish June in second. The team took sole possession of first place in the Pacific League in early July and never relinquished it, winning the Eagles' their first PL pennant. Over the remaining three months of the season, Tanaka continued to win games and finished the season with 24 wins and no losses.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/11/26/baseball/tanaka-balentien-earn-mvp-honors/ |title=Tanaka, Balentien earn MVP honors |date=November 26, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} He was awarded a record-setting five consecutive monthly MVPs from May to September.{{cite web|url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/3545.html |title=田中将大選手が9月度「日本生命月間MVP賞」を受賞 |trans-title=Masahiro Tanaka receives the Nippon Life Insurance Monthly MVP Award for September. |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |language=ja}} As league champions, the Eagles advanced directly to the final stage of the Climax Series Final where they defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines to advance to their first Japan Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/10/21/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-reach-first-japan-series/ |title=Eagles reach first Japan Series |date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} Rakuten defeated the Yomiuri Giants at home in the final game of a seven-game series to win the franchise's first and only Japan Series championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/11/03/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-blank-giants-in-game-7-capture-first-japan-series-title/ |title=Eagles blank Giants in Game 7, capture first Japan Series title |date=November 3, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason}} Game 6 of that Japan Series would also mark the only loss, including postseason games, that Tanaka would be given, after pitching a 160 pitch complete game in Game 6, but he followed it up in what would be his final game before being posted to the Yankees, a save in Game 7.{{Citation |title=Japan's Youngest Pro Team - A Brief History of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | date=3 February 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7qAOWsU3w |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en}} Starting pitcher Manabu Mima was named the Japan Series MVP after the series, and at the end of the season, Tanaka was presented with the PL MVP and Eiji Sawamura Awards, Norimoto was named the PL Rookie of the Year,{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/11/25/baseball/ogawa-norimoto-win-rookie-of-the-year-awards/ |title=Ogawa, Norimoto win Rookie of the Year awards |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} and Senichi Hoshino was given the Matsutaro Shoriki Award.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/11/11/baseball/eagles-skipper-hoshino-wins-shoriki-award/ |title=Eagles skipper Hoshino wins Shoriki Award |date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} After the increased ticket demand during the 2013 season, an expansion project that increased Miyagi Stadium's maximum seating capacity above 28,000 was completed the next year.{{cite web|url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/3808.html |title=【楽天Koboスタジアム宮城】スタジアム増席・改修に関して |trans-title=[Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi] More seats and renovation of the stadium |date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |language=ja}}

Following the championship-winning season, Masahiro Tanaka left the Eagles via the posting system to play for the New York Yankees, netting the team a $20 million transfer fee in return.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/masahiro-tanaka-signs-seven-year-155-million-contract-with-new-york-yankees/c-66923096 |title=Tanaka signs $155 million contract with Yankees |publisher=Major League Baseball |author=Hoch, Bryan |date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2020}} Likewise, McGehee also left for MLB, and the team struggled in the years following their departures, finishing last the next season. This disappointing finish prompted manager Senichi Hoshino to resign despite ownership wanting him to return for a fifth season.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/09/18/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-manager-hoshino-step-seasons-end/ |title=Eagles manager Hoshino to step down at season's end |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2021}} Rakuten promoted their farm team manager Hiromoto Okubo to manager.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/15/baseball/a-look-at-npbs-new-skippers-for-the-2015-season-challenges-they-will-face/ |title=A look at NPB's new skippers for the 2015 season, challenges they will face |work=The Japan Times |author=Graczyk, Wayne |date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2021}} At the end of July, hitting coach Tomio Tashiro abruptly resigned and it was revealed that owner Hiroshi Mikitani had often been interfering in on-the-field decisions, such as dictating the batting order.{{cite web |url=http://www.hochi.co.jp/feature/TO001019/20160411-OHT1T50091.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414023822/http://www.hochi.co.jp/feature/TO001019/20160411-OHT1T50091.html |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |title=【あの時・楽天屈辱からの日本一】（５）現場介入騒動の真相 |language=ja |trans-title=Rakuten's first victory in Japan after its humiliation (5) The truth about the on-field intervention incident |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=Sports Hochi |date=April 11, 2016 |author=Sakai, Takayuki}} After Tashiro's resignation, Mikitani began conferring with field personnel before making any decisions,{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/baseball/439398/ |title=【楽天・現場介入問題】デーブ監督「（三木谷）会長が全部話してくれたので、やりやすくなった」 |trans-title=[Rakuten / on-field intervention problem] Manager Dave "The chairman (Mikitani) told me everything, so it became easier for me." |language=ja |work=Tokyo Sports |date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2021}} however the team again finished in last and Okubo resigned at the end of the season. The turmoil brought about by Mikitani taking the lead on baseball operations after Hoshino's unexpected resignation forced Rakuten to reevaluate how the team was managed and organized. It was decided that Hoshino, who had been retained as an Eagles vice chairman, would have full authority over baseball operations, similar to the role of an MLB general manager.

In preparation for the 2016 season, Miyagi Stadium underwent its last major renovation during the offseason, increasing its capacity to over 30,000 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2015/10/01/kiji/K20151001011238500.html |title=コボスタ宮城３０億円大改修 内外野天然芝、世界に誇れるＢＰに |trans-title=¥3 billion renovation of Kobo Stadium Miyagi to make it a world-class ballpark with natural grass in the infield and outfield |work=Sports Nippon |date=October 1, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2021}} The team, hoping to avoid a third consecutive last-place finish, hired veteran PL manager Masataka Nashida{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/10/08/baseball/japanese-baseball/new-eagles-manager-nashida-eager-lead-pl-club/ |title=New Eagles manager Nashida eager to lead PL club |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=October 8, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2021}} and signed free agent Toshiaki Imae, a two-time Japan Series MVP.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/11/27/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-sign-former-marine-imae/ |title=Eagles sign former Marine Imae |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2021}} During the season, Rakuten formed a training team to help further develop talent by playing against university, corporate, club, and independent teams.{{cite news|url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/6417.html |title=育成試合に関して |language=ja |trans-title=Regarding training games |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2021}} The Eagles avoided finishing the season in last, however they placed fifth and again missed the playoffs. The 2017 Eagles, however, found themselves battling the Saitama Seibu Lions near the end of the season for second place. Ultimately, the team secured a first stage Climax Series berth against the Lions with a third-place finish.{{cite news|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2017/10/05/kiji/20171005s00001173089000c.html |title=楽天 ３位確定 ９回２死から追いつくも延長１２回ドロー |trans-title=Rakuten: 3rd place is confirmed, ties it the 9th inning with two outs, but draws after the 12th extra inning |work=Sports Nippon |date=October 5, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2021}} After losing the first game of the three-game series, Rakuten won the final two to defeat Seibu and advance to the final stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/10/17/baseball/japanese-baseball/bullpen-comes-big-underdog-eagles-climax-series/ |title=Bullpen comes up big for underdog Eagles in Climax Series |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason |date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2021}} Against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Eagles took the first two games of the series but were eliminated after the Hawks won the next three.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/10/23/baseball/japanese-baseball/hawks-look-budding-dynasty-latest-triumph/ |title=Hawks have look of budding dynasty after latest triumph |work=The Japan Times |author=Coskrey, Jason |date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2021}}

Hoshino died in January 2018. Following the death, Rakuten erected a memorial flower stand in front of the newly named Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi.{{cite news |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/201801070000500.html |title=星野仙一さんの献花台が設置「感謝伝えた」ファン涙 |trans-title=Senichi Hoshino's flower-dedication stand set up: "I expressed my gratitude" fans cry |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Nikkan Sports |date=January 7, 2018}} Mikitani then announced that Hoshino's uniform number 77 would be retired permanently just before the start of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL3M543KL3MUTQP00Z.html |title=星野仙一さんお別れの会 楽天「７７」永久欠番に |trans-title=Memorial event for Senichi Hoshino, Rakuten's "77" becomes retired number |date=March 19, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Asahi Shimbun}} The Eagles struggled immediately that season, falling to 20 games under .500 by mid-June. Taking responsibility for the team's poor performance, Nashida resigned as manager that month and head coach Yosuke Hiraishi acted as interim manager for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/06/16/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-manager-masataka-nashida-steps/ |title=Eagles manager Masataka Nashida steps down |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |date=June 16, 2018 |access-date=March 23, 2021}} The Eagles went on to finish the season in last, however before it was over Rakuten formally created a general manager (GM) position in Hoshino's absence. Former NPB and MLB pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii was hired in the role to help coordinate the efforts of the front office and field management.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2018/07/06/kiji/20180705s00001173449000c.html |title=楽天 石井一久氏をＧＭ招へいへ 元メジャーリーガー初、再建託す |trans-title=Rakuten invites Kazuhisa Ishii as GM, first former Major Leaguer to be entrusted with rebuilding|date=July 6, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Sports Nippon}}

Hiraishi was kept on as full-time manager for the 2019 season and led the Eagles to a third-place finish and a postseason berth. However, the team was defeated by the Hawks in the first stage. After the loss, another managerial change was made and Hajime Miki was promoted from farm team manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/10/05/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-promote-interim-manager-yosuke-hiraishi-manager/ |title=Eagles promote interim manager Yosuke Hiraishi to manager |date=October 5, 2018 |accessdate=February 17, 2020 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} The Eagles failed to make the playoffs in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and Ishii sent Miki back to manage the farm team after only one season. To replace him, Ishii appointed himself as manager starting with the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/11/13/baseball/japanese-baseball/eagles-kazuhisa-ishii-manager/ |title=Eagles appoint former big-leaguer Kazuhisa Ishii as manager |date=November 13, 2020 |accessdate=January 6, 2022 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News}} Meanwhile, the conclusion of MLB's 2020 season marked the end of Masahiro Tanaka's seven-year contract with the Yankees. Instead of signing with another MLB team, Tanaka chose to return to play in Japan and signed a two-year contract with Rakuten.{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/e18f3fd366bd-breaking-news-former-new-york-yankees-pitcher-tanaka-to-rejoin-rakuten-eagles.html |title=Ex-Yankee pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to return to Japan with Eagles |work=Kyodo News |date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=March 13, 2022}} The next season, a third-place finish secured the Eagles a place in the 2021 PL Climax Series, however a loss and a tie against the Marines ensured that Rakuten would not advance to the final stage.{{cite news |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211107/p2g/00m/0sp/031000c |title=Baseball: Marines, Giants advance to the Climax Series' final stages |date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=November 9, 2021 |work=The Mainichi |agency=Kyodo News |archive-date=10 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110065756/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20211107/p2g/00m/0sp/031000c |url-status=dead }}

{{Further|List of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles managers}}

{{Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles roster}}

===MLB players===

Active:

• Yuki Matsui (2024–)

Former:

• Masahiro Tanaka (2014–2020)

Retired:

• Kazuo Fukumori (2008)
• Hisashi Iwakuma (2012–2017)

Japan Series Championship (1): 2013

• 10 – Rakuten announced on December 4, 2004, during the early stages of the team's formation, that the uniform number 10 would be retired prior to the Eagles' first season.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/goldeneagles/info.html |title=球団からお知らせ |lang=Japanese |trans-title=News from the team |access-date=February 18, 2025 |publisher=Rakuten |archive-date=August 26, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050826212206/http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/goldeneagles/info.html |url-status=deviated}} The number represents Eagles fans and signifies them as the team's 10th member following its nine starting fielders. It has never been worn by an Eagles manager, coach, or player, however, the team's mascot Clutch wears the number on his uniform and acts as the fans' representative.{{cite web |url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20201009-WHO3AL7LRJPNXKB76PXWJL3WIY/ |title=楽天　ファンの番号、永久欠番ユニホーム「１０」を販売 |lang=Japanese |trans-title=Rakuten to sell retired jersey number "10" for fans |date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=February 18, 2025 |work=Sankei Sports}}

• 77 - Following Senichi Hoshino's death in early 2018, Rakuten announced on March 26 that they would be retiring his uniform number 77.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00001064.html |title=星野仙一さんの背番号「77」を永久欠番に |lang=Japanese |trans-title=Senichi Hoshino's uniform number "77" to be retired |date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2025 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} Hoshino managed the Eagles for four season from 2011–2014, including during their only Japan Series win in 2013, and stayed with the team as a vice-chairman after his retirement until his death. This number is also the only manager uniform number to be retired in NPB. Other players that went on to manage and subsequently had their numbers retired retained the same uniform number throughout their playing and managerial careers. Hoshino, however, changed his uniform number to 77 when he first started managing the Chunichi Dragons and retained that number throughout his managerial career with the Hanshin Tigers and later the Eagles.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/201801080000024.html |title=星野さん信念背負った77、球界初監督永久欠番検討 |lang=Japanese |trans-title=Mr. Hoshino's belief-bearing 77 being considered as the first retired manager number in baseball |date=January 8, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2025 |work=Nikkan Sports}}

The Eagles' team color is crimson red, the corporate color of its parent company, Rakuten. Yellow was added as an accent color to represent a golden eagle. The team's logo applies a golden eagle motif to the word "Eagles", which has wings added to its left and right sides. The word "Rakuten" sits at atop in a smaller, simpler font.{{cite web |url=https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/news/press/2004/1207.html |title=東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルスチームロゴの決定について |trans-title=Decision on the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Team Logo |date=December 7, 2004 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Rakuten}} The winged "E" from this logo also serves as the team's cap insignia. The club's home and away uniforms both include the same crimson caps bearing this insignia. Starting with the 2020 season, '47 supplies the caps for the team. Their glossy helmets mimic the cap design and are created using a traditional Miyagi Prefecture lacquer technique called tamamushi-nuri.{{cite web |url=https://sp.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00002699.html |title=2020シーズンから選手が着用するホームとビジターのユニフォームが決定! |trans-title=Home and visitor uniforms to be worn by players for the 2020 season have been decided! |date=January 24, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The supplier of Rakuten's uniforms has changed several times. At the start of the 2011 season, Descente provided all of the team's uniforms and apparel.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1053.html |title=2011シーズン楽天イーグルスは『デサント』で闘います！ |trans-title=For the 2011 season, the Rakuten Eagles will fight with "Descente"! |date=January 19, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} Then, from 2014 to 2019, the team had a contract with Majestic Athletic, the then-supplier of MLB.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/3843.html |title=2014年オフィシャルサプライヤーに関して |trans-title=Official suppliers for 2014 |date=January 31, 2014 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} Since the start of the 2020 season, Mizuno Corporation has supplied the uniforms and apparel for the Eagles. The Eagles' uniforms bear the logos of various sponsors on the jersey, pants, cap, and helmet.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1078.html |title=「身が引き締まる思い」松井稼、岩村選手がユニフォーム姿を初披露！ |trans-title="It's a sobering experience." Kazuo Matsui and Iwamura unveil their uniforms for the first time! |date=January 30, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

File:A makida20140425-2.jpg

The Eagles home uniforms are all white. The pants are white with crimson piping from beltline to cuff on each side and have not changed since being introduced. For the team's inaugural season, the front of the white, button-down jersey displayed the team's logo along with the player's number in crimson outlined in yellow. The raglan lines on the shoulders and sides featured crimson piping, and the back displayed the player's name and number in the same style as the front number. The right sleeve displayed Rakuten's corporate logo. The jersey underwent a small design change for the 2011 season when the fonts for the player's name and numbers were simplified to match the font on the visitor jersey.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1090.html |title=新ユニフォーム、勢ぞろい！2/10（木）より一斉発売開始！ |trans-title=The new uniforms will go on sale on Thursday, February 10! |date=February 7, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} Then, after the Tōhoku earthquake, a patch reading {{Nihongo3|'Let's do this, Tōhoku'|がんばろう東北|"Ganbaro Tōhoku"}} was added to the left sleeve as a symbol of support.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1191.html |title=各種支援活動を「がんばろう東北」のスローガンで行います |trans-title=Various support activities will be conducted under the slogan "Ganbarou Tohoku" |date=April 4, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} This patch has been featured on every home and visitor uniform since it was first added. Before the 2018 season, the home jersey design was again tweaked. All of the yellow was changed to gold, including the chest logo, its first change. Additionally, the raglan and side piping was removed in favor of crimson and gold stripes around the collar and sleeves and the font of the player's name and numbers was again modified.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00000943.html |title=新しいイーグルスに着替えよう!楽天イーグルスのユニフォームが変わります |trans-title=Let's change into the new Eagles! The uniforms of the Rakuten Eagles will change |date=January 26, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=December 21, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The club's current home jersey debuted before the 2020 season and is very similar to its previous iteration, albeit with the crimson and gold collar stripes removed.{{cite web |url=https://sp.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00002699.html |title=2020シーズンから選手が着用するホームとビジターのユニフォームが決定! |trans-title=Home and visitor uniforms to be worn by players for the 2020 season have been decided! |date=January 24, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=December 21, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = RE-Hisashi-Iwakuma.jpg

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| caption1 = Debut jersey, 2008

| alt1 =

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}}

The team's visitor uniform has undergone more drastic changes since the first design. The same pants worn with the home jerseys are utilized for the visitor uniforms, however the button-down jersey is crimson red and bears the name of the team's owner "Rakuten" on the chest. In the garment's first iteration, the white Rakuten logo was wholly original and incorporated a yellow drop shadow to give it a 3D effect. White piping along the raglan lines on the shoulders and sides was added and the player's number in white appeared on the front. The back displayed the player's name and number, again in white. As with the home jerseys, the right sleeve displayed Rakuten's corporate logo. Its first design change came one year before the home jersey's when the chest logo was changed in 2009. All yellow was removed leaving the logo completely white, and the font was changed to bring it in line with Rakuten's corporate branding. Additionally, the font of the name and numbers was simplified.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/636.html |title=ビジターユニフォーム デザイン変更のお知らせ |trans-title=Notice of Design Change for Visitor Uniforms |date=December 28, 2009 |language=ja |access-date=December 21, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The font used for the name and numbers was again modified for the 2014 season. The next change to the visitor jersey occurred in 2018, the same time as the home design change. Again keeping with the changes to the corporate logo, a white line was added under "Rakuten" on the chest. The raglan and side piping was also removed in favor of white stripes around the collar and sleeves. The Eagles' current visitor jersey again debuted alongside the home jersey. Similarly, the stripes around the collar were removed, however a gold stripe was added to the white stripes around the sleeves. Gold outlines were also added to the back name and number and the front chest number was removed for the first time.

File:Takasu_yousuke.jpg

Throughout the team's history, there have also been several alternate and limited-time uniform designs. A third alternate uniform was introduced in 2006 for home games during interleague play. These were primarily white with crimson sides and shoulders outlined by yellow piping along the raglan lines. The left side of the chest featured the cap emblem, while the right featured the player's number in crimson outlined in yellow. It was redesigned for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and worn at several games played in the Tōhoku region before being discontinued. The chest displayed the words "Tohoku" and "Rakuten" in crimson, with the "E" logo moved instead to the sleeve and the player's chest number removed altogether. The yellow piping was removed in favor of yellow and white stripes around the sleeve cuff.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/728.html |title=今年の3rdユニフォームはデザイン一新!テーマは"TOHOKU"バージョン! |trans-title=This year's 3rd uniform has a new design! The theme is "TOHOKU" version! |date=March 25, 2010 |language=ja |access-date=December 23, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

Other than the third alternate uniform, the Eagles have also worn many limited, seasonal uniforms throughout their history that often have unique designs, colors, and sleeve patches. Starting with the 2007 season, players wore special uniforms during a limited, home-game stretch dubbed "Fan Club Day". From 2007 to 2009, each season's uniform was selected from a pool of fan-submitted designs and were variants of their white, home jersey.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/303.html |title=「ファンクラブデー2009」オリジナルユニフォーム候補作品発表!! |trans-title="Fan Club Day 2009" original uniform candidates announced!! |date=October 23, 2008 |language=ja |access-date=December 28, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} After skipping the 2010 season, the event returned in 2011, however the design contest was no longer employed.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1356.html |title=【Kスタ宮城イベント情報】7/1（金）から3日間はファンクラブデー！ |trans-title="KSTA Miyagi Event Information" Fan Club Day for 3 days from 7/1 (Fri.)! |date=June 27, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 28, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} In an effort to fill the stands with color for the event,{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/2108.html |title=「ファンクラブデー」着用の企画ユニフォームを発表！ |trans-title=Announcing the uniforms to be worn on "Fan Club Day"! |date=April 25, 2012 |language=ja |access-date=December 28, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} the jersey was changed to crimson, a color traditionally used only for road games, for 2012 and 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/2721.html |title=2013年「ファンクラブデーユニフォーム」発表！ |trans-title=Announcing the 2013 "Fan Club Day Uniforms"! |date=November 26, 2012 |language=ja |access-date=December 28, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} In 2014, these jerseys were rebranded as the "Fans'" uniform and were worn for home games played throughout the Tōhoku region. To reflect this, the Eagles' chest logo was removed from the crimson jersey and instead replaced with the word "Tohoku". A patch was also added to the sleeve that season to commemorate the team's 2013 Japan Series win.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/3749.html |title=【FANS'ユニフォーム】秋田・岩手・福島・山形各県で開催する1軍戦にて来場者全員にプレゼント決定！ |trans-title=Fans' uniforms will be presented to all visitors at the first team games in Akita, Iwate, Fukushima, and Yamagata prefectures! |date=December 12, 2013 |language=ja |access-date=December 29, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} This general design continued to be utilized for Fans' Days through the 2018 season. For the 2019 season, Rakuten's fifteenth, the Fans' uniform was changed and again borrowed the home jersey design, however in grey instead of white.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00001617.html |title=【2019シーズンスペシャルユニフォーム発表!】TOHOKU BLUEユニフォーム・FANS'ユニフォーム2019 |trans-title=Announcing the special uniforms for the 2019 season! Tohoku Blue Uniform and Fans' Uniform 2019 |date=November 23, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=December 29, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The next year, the same design was kept but the base color was changed to black,{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00002615.html |title=2020シーズン スペシャルユニフォーム発表! |trans-title=2020 season special uniforms announced! |date=December 1, 2019 |language=ja |access-date=December 29, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} and it would be worn again in 2021 after the COVID pandemic limited fan attendance in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00003371.html |title=2021シーズンも2020シーズンと同じTOHOKU BLUEユニフォームとFANS' ユニフォームを着用します |trans-title=We will wear the same Tohoku Blue and Fans' uniforms for the 2021 season as the 2020 season! |date=November 7, 2020 |language=ja |access-date=December 29, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

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In addition to the various Fans' uniform iterations, the Eagles have worn several themed seasonal uniforms throughout its history. The first was introduced in 2011 to celebrate the team's seventh season, a lucky number in Japan. The design, dubbed the "Eagle Rainbow", was drastically different from the team's previous uniforms. The jersey was the team's only v-neck pullover and was white and crimson with seven different shades of red, orange, and yellow. The chest bore the word "Eagles" in a simple dark blue font with a logo illustration of an eagle underneath. The cap emblem was also changed to feature the same "E" as on the chest. The uniforms were worn during four interleague games that season, and the player-worn jerseys were auctioned off to raise money for earthquake relief.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/1259.html |title=球団創設7年目特別企画ユニフォーム「イーグル・レインボー」を発表 |trans-title=Announcing the "Eagle Rainbow" uniform, a special project for the team's seventh anniversary |date=May 2, 2011 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The team has worn a special summer uniform every season since, and next season Rakuten unveiled the "Eagle Star" uniform, which added crimson, full-body pinstripes to the home design.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/2060.html |title=夏季着用企画ユニフォーム「イーグル・スター」を発表！ |trans-title=Announcing the "Eagle Star" summer wear project uniform! |date=April 2, 2012 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The "Tohoku Green" theme was introduced in 2013 and variations of the same uniform was used for three seasons. To bring attention to the conservation of Tōhoku's forests, the jerseys were green and displayed "Tohoku" across the chest.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/5073.html |title=今年は東北6県が緑に染まる!2015夏季着用企画ユニフォーム「TOHOKU GREEN」発表! |trans-title=Six prefectures in Tohoku will be dyed green this year! Announcing the "Tohoku Green" uniform for the 2015 summer season! |date=April 7, 2015 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} Full-body crimson pinstripes were brought back in 2016, this time extending to the cap as well. These "Eagle Summer" uniforms also displayed "Rakuten" on the chest.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/6312.html |title=鷲が夏の勝利を掴みとる!「EAGLE SUMMER 2016」夏季着用ユニフォームを発表! |trans-title=The Eagles will win the summer! Announcing the "Eagle Summer 2016" summer uniforms! |date=May 12, 2016 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The next two seasons featured black jerseys and caps. The first, "Black Eagles" in 2017, was a black version of the home uniforms.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00000033.html |title=2017シーズンは全10試合で｢BLACK EAGLES DAY｣を開催！黒の旋風を巻き起こせ！ |trans-title="Black Eagles Day" will be held at 10 games in the 2017 season! Let's create a whirlwind of black! |date=January 27, 2017 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The following year, the "Tōhoku Pride" uniform was a black version of that year's Fans' uniform.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00000921.html |title=東北の誇りを胸に闘う｢TOHOKU PRIDE DAY｣は全9試合開催! |trans-title="Tōhoku Pride Day" will be held with the pride of Tōhoku in mind, with a total of 9 matches! |date=January 27, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The current special uniform theme is "Tohoku Blue", a companion to the green theme. First introduced in 2019, the jersey design was similar to the previous year's, however it was blue to represent the sky.{{cite web |url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00001617.html |title=【2019シーズンスペシャルユニフォーム発表!】TOHOKU BLUEユニフォーム・FANS'ユニフォーム2019 |trans-title=Announcing the special uniforms for the 2019 season! Tohoku Blue Uniform and Fans' Uniform 2019 |date=November 23, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=December 30, 2020 |publisher=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}} The colors were modified for the following season when it changed to white with blue pinstripes. As with the Fans' uniform, 2020's Tohoku Blue uniforms are returning for 2021.

At the time of team's inception, Rakuten created a pair of unnamed male and female golden eagle mascots.{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/sports/bb/TKY200501050295.html |title=楽天がマスコットキャラクター発表 |trans-title=Rakuten announces mascot character |date=January 5, 2005 |language=ja |access-date=January 1, 2021 |work=The Asahi Shimbun}} The name Clutch (and the feminine Clutchena) was selected from approximately 6,500 suggestions that were solicited from the public. The name has a double meaning derived from the word "clutch", such as the grasp of an eagle's claw, as well as the baseball concept of a clutch hitter.{{cite web |url=http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/goldeneagles/info/050105mascot.html |title=球団マスコットの名前が決定しました! |trans-title=The team's mascot name has been decided! |language=ja |access-date=February 17, 2025 |publisher=Rakuten |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129012054/http://www.rakuten.ne.jp:80/gold/goldeneagles/info/050105mascot.html |archive-date=January 29, 2005 |date=January 27, 2005}} Clutch wears a jersey bearing the number 10, an Eagles retired number that represents the fans. A third mascot, a harpy eagle named Switch, was unveiled in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ414CV3J41UTQP00X.html |title=(宮城）楽天に新マスコット 帰国子女の「スイッチ」 |trans-title=(Miyagi) Rakuten's new mascot: "Switch," a returnee |date=April 2, 2016 |language=ja |access-date=January 1, 2021 |work=The Asahi Shimbun |author=Omata, Yuki}} The Eagles have also periodically featured an unofficial, mischievous mascot named Mr. Carrasco. The character, based on a black crow, is masked and rides a motorcycle.{{cite web |url=https://www.narinari.com/Nd/20180951360.html |title=楽天"非公認"マスコット、Mr.カラスコが復活か |trans-title=Rakuten's "unofficial" mascot, Mr. Carrasco, is coming back. |date=September 26, 2018 |language=ja |access-date=January 1, 2021 |publisher=Narinari.com}} For Black Eagles Day in 2017, Rakuten added a mascot character called Kurowashi-san. Unlike the other costumed mascots, Kurowashi-san appeared as a normal man with a black eagle on his head.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2017/05/11/kiji/20170510s00001173457000c.html |title=楽天 新公式キャラ「クロワシさん」観客席に初出没 背番号は「9604」 |trans-title=Rakuten's new official character "Kurowashi-san" appears at the spectators' seats for the first time, and his back number is "9604". |date=May 11, 2017 |language=ja |access-date=January 1, 2021 |work=Sports Nippon}}

== Farm team ==

The Golden Eagles farm team plays in the Eastern League. The team was founded in 2005.

• {{nihongo|"The Manpower!!!"|THE マンパワー!!!}} – the first Golden Eagles' official cheer song, recorded and released as a single by J-pop idol group Morning Musume.
• {{nihongo|"Koero! Rakuten Eagles"|越えろ!楽天イーグルス}} – the fourth Golden Eagles' official cheer song, recorded by J-pop idol group Cute.
• Vegalta Sendai

{{Commons category|Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/ Official website] {{in lang|ja}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Japan Series champions|years = 2013}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Pacific League champions|years = 2013}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Interleague champions|years = 2024}}

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Category:Rakuten