For the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who have made substantial changes to their roster over the past year or two, Norichika Aoki serves as a stabilizer on and off the field.
First off, Aoki guides the Central League club with his wooden bat, which has enabled him to become a household name in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Despite a right side injury, which sidelined him for nearly three weeks starting in early May, the outfielder has shown no sign of slowing down. Instead, he returned to the diamond stronger than ever.