Needing just 15 hits to reach 2,000 for his career, 42-year-old Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kazuhiro Wada showed no sign of slowing down Monday on the second day of spring training.
Wada, who is entering his 19th season, saw more than 200 pitches in an hourlong session with a pitching machine at the Central League club's facility in Okinawa Prefecture.
"One would think the message would be not to overdo it, but on the other hand you can't slack off," said Wada, who had the machine set to throw 150-kph fastballs and curves and had taped up his left hand.
"It's been a long time since I've had a blister. I'm still a long way off."
The 2,000-hit milestone is huge for hitters in Japan with its shorter seasons, and Wada had been on track to reach the plateau last season until he was hit by a pitch in August that broke his right hand.
"That's no problem now," said Wada, a former MVP and six-time Best IX Award winner.
"I've decided what I'm aiming for. I'm going to get in good form that I can maintain the whole season."
