GOODYEAR, Arizona – After waiting for his turn in the rotation of players taking batting practice Thursday, Shogo Akiyama jogged into the batting cage.
Akiyama took off his cap and slightly bowed his head in a sign of respect to outfield coach Jeff Pickler, who was throwing pitches from behind an L-screen. With a TV camera, photographer and several cell phone cameras locked onto him, Akiyama held his bat like he was going to bunt before moving into his regular stance.
The first pitch: a swing and a miss. Akiyama let out a yell, then covered his mouth in shock as he looked at his coaches behind the batting cage.