Hiroshima's Maeda hits 2,000th career hit

Hiroshima's Maeda hits 2,000th career hit

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp outfielder Tomonori Maeda reaches the first base after hitting his 2,000th career hit in the eighth inning against the Chunichi Dragons at Hiroshima Stadium on Sept. 1. The Carp defeated the Dragons 14-7.

Hiroshima Carp unveils ex-outfielder Maeda-like mascot

Hiroshima Carp unveils ex-outfielder Maeda-like mascot

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Former Hiroshima Carp outfielder Tomonori Maeda poses with a 130-centimeter-tall "Mae-tomo boya" mascot figure modeled after him at an unveiling ceremony on March 9, 2014, at the Japanese professional baseball team's Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima, western Japan.

Hiroshima outfielder Maeda retires

Hiroshima outfielder Maeda retires

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp players toss veteran outfielder Tomonori Maeda into the air during his retirement ceremony at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on Oct. 3, 2013.

Hiroshima outfielder Maeda retires

Hiroshima outfielder Maeda retires

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp players toss veteran outfielder Tomonori Maeda into the air during his retirement ceremony at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on Oct. 3, 2013.

Maeda hits three-run homer

Maeda hits three-run homer

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp slugger Tomonori Maeda belts a three-run homer off Hanshin Tigers reliever Hirotaka Egusa in the sixth inning at Hiroshima Stadium on April 30. The Carp beat the Tigers 7-4.

Maeda hits three-run homer

Maeda hits three-run homer

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp slugger Tomonori Maeda belts a three-run homer off Hanshin Tigers reliever Hirotaka Egusa in the sixth inning at Hiroshima Stadium on April 30. The Carp beat the Tigers 7-4. (Kyodo)

Hiroshima's Maeda hits 2,000th career hit

Hiroshima's Maeda hits 2,000th career hit

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima Carp outfielder Tomonori Maeda reaches the first base after hitting his 2,000th career hit in the eighth inning against the Chunichi Dragons at Hiroshima Stadium on Sept. 1. The Carp defeated the Dragons 14-7. (Kyodo)