Kintetsu Buffaloes slugger Tuffy Rhodes on Wednesday received a special award from Osaka Mayor Takafumi Isomura for his contributions to the city.
Rhodes, who matched the Japanese baseball single-season record of 55 home runs in 2001, became the first foreigner to receive the award.
The former major leaguer, playing in his sixth year in Japan, was selected for being a positive representative for the city of Osaka and for heightening sports awareness. "I am honored. I'll do my best to win the Japan Series and I hope to play for Kintetsu for as long as the manager allows me," Rhodes said.
Rhodes also obtained a silver medal for the "Osaka Sakura Award," presented to foreigners who have made great contribution to the city.
Kintetsu manager Masataka Nashida also visited Isomura to formally report that the Buffaloes had won the Pacific League championship. Kintetsu plays the Central League champion Yakult Swallows in the Japan Series on Saturday.