Among players within reach of milestones this season are two guys making the most of their longevity: Yokohama BayStars left-handed pitcher Kimiyasu Kudo and Orix Buffaloes slugger Tuffy Rhodes.
Kudo might be called the Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens of Japan. He is the oldest active player in either the Central or Pacific League and will turn 45 years old on May 5.
When he takes the mound for the first time this season, it will mark his 27th year in Japanese baseball, the most ever played by anyone here.