MIYAKOJIMA, OKINAWA PREF. – Wily Mo Pena, who signed with the Orix Buffaloes over the winter, put on a ferocious power display at the team’s spring training camp on Friday.
The 32-year-old Pena, who played two seasons for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and won a Best IX Award as the Pacific League’s best designated hitter in 2012, smashed at least one ball in batting practice that carried out of the ballpark to left and put a hole in the bullpen roof estimated at 150 meters from home plate.
“There were a number of balls that got here,” said rookie pitcher Daiki Tomei, who was in the pen at the time.
The Buffaloes failed to re-sign slugging first baseman Lee Dae-ho and are hoping Pena can replace him in the cleanup spot.
“I’d love it if he hit about 50 of these homers,” said second-year Orix manager Hiroshi Moriwaki.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.