Best Nine Award
He was scouted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and traveled to Japan for the second time in . He hit well over .400 in his first month, and ended the year hitting .306 with 44 home runs and 108 RBI, tying Nobuhiko Matsunaka for the most home runs in the league to win the Best Nine Award at designated hitter. He remained with the Fighters until , and had continued success, leading the league in doubles in to win a second Best Nine Award.