In 2004, Cabrera hit two homeruns in game three, including a grand slam, and a massive dinger in the seventh game of the Japan Series to help the Seibu Lions defeat the Chunichi Dragons 7-2, leading his team to their first championship since 1992.

Cabrera totes a .308 BA with 413 RBI and 147 HR in his first four years with the Lions. Life is great for the first baseman and he loves Japanese ball. Except for one thing. In an interview with ESPN.com he acknowledged his frustration at not being allowed to break the record set by Sadaharu Oh.

Cabrera noted, "All my teammates wanted me to break the record. A lot of the players on other teams wanted me to break it, too. The pitchers want to throw me strikes but the managers and coaches don't let them."

"They didn't want me to get the record," he acknowledged. "All records are for the Japanese. The last 20 at-bats of the season, I think I only saw one strike."

There are aspects of the game with which MLB players have difficulty. Cabrera said it very clearly, when he complained, "Here, if you hit a home run your first at-bat, they walk you the next three. In America, you get a chance to hit more home runs. They challenge you."

In the same article, former Japanese player and present Yankee Hideki Matsui observed, "In the past there has been more of that sort of unfairness," Matsui said, sympathizing with Cabrera. "But it has been decreasing in the last couple years and I just hope that in the future it will get better."

Although Cabrera has found a home with the Lions, he's certainly willing to come back and play in America. In fact, he's anxious to prove that he can hit big league curveballs - something scouts claim he can't do - and pound 40-plus round trippers per season in the majors.