It remains to be seen if Tuffy Rhodes will return to play a 14th season in Japanese baseball in 2010. The all-time leader among foreign players in home runs and RBIs says he's ready for another year — or two — but, if he is unable to attract an offer from a Pacific or Central League club, he will call it a career and look back with pride.
The 41-year-old slugger (he turns 42 next Aug. 21) was released by the Orix Buffaloes last month after three years with the team. Prior to that, he spent two seasons (2004-05) with the Yomiuri Giants and eight campaigns with the Kintetsu Buffaloes beginning in 1996. He sat out the 2006 season after shoulder surgery.
Rhodes' agent, Jim Turner of Turner-Gary Sports, was in Indianapolis last week at the annual Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, hoping to meet with a few Japanese teams that may be open-minded about extending a contract offer to the popular player.