Earlier this year reigning Central League MVP Alex Ramirez insisted the best he had to offer in 2009 was still yet to come.
As he showed in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, "Big Daddy" has gotten his swagger back.
Ramirez put himself among 103 other Japanese baseball greats by collecting the 1,500th hit of his career in Japan during the sixth inning of the Yomiuri Giants' 7-4 victory over the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome. Ramirez recorded his milestone hit with a leadoff single into center field off pitcher Yudai Kawaii.