Tuffy Rhodes, who shares the Japanese single-season home run record with baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, arrived Wednesday in Okinawa to make a tryout with the Orix Buffaloes.
Rhodes, who formerly played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Yomiuri Giants, is scheduled to start practices with the Pacific League club on Miyakojima Island from Thursday. The 38-year-old American said he hoped to contribute to the team this coming season should he gain a spot on the top team.
Rhodes joined Kintetsu in 1996 and hit 55 home runs in 2001 to match the home run record set by Oh in 1964 while helping the club claim the league title. Alex Cabrera of the Seibu Lions also reached the plateau in 2002.