The Yomiuri Giants are the oldest professional team in Japan, which was founded in 1936 and joined the new Japanese Professional League. The Giants won nine titles before the establishment of the two league system in 1950. Starting in 1965, the Giants won nine consecutive Central League pennants and Japan Series titles, in large part because of the hitting of Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh. The Giants have won the 2002 pennant. The Yomiuri Giants have won more pennants and Japan Series titles than any other team.