The Hanshin Tigers have their "JFK" pitching relay, but now the Tokyo Yakult Swallows can counter with their "LIRR" quartet of sluggers. No, it's not the Long Island Railroad, but second baseman Greg LaRocca, third sacker Akinori Iwamura, left fielder Alex Ramirez and first baseman Adam Riggs.
LaRocca is the newcomer, moving in after two injury-plagued seasons with the Hiroshima Carp, and he is expected to solidify the powerful lineup, occupying the No. 5 slot in new manager Atsuya Furuta's batting order and following Iwamura and Ramirez.
So far in the exhibition games, Riggs has been batting second, but he may be moved to sixth when Iwamura and leadoff man Yasuchika Aoki return from World Baseball Classic duties. Hopefully, Iwamura will not miss too much action after pulling a hamstring in the March 15 WBC game against South Korea.