Alex Cabrera and Hideki Matsui missed out on significant regular-season feats heading into the Japan Series -- ditto for Yomiuri Giants outfielder Takayuki Shimizu.
Shimizu finished one shy of a Central League record with a career-high 191 hits in the best season of his seven-year career, living up to his position as the leadoff man for the pennant winner.
He has mixed feelings about his achievement but has switched gears to the best-of-seven Japan Series getting underway Saturday at the Tokyo Dome.