ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 24: Brandon Laird #4 of the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 24, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Former Major League Baseball player Brandon Laird scored a very nice price on Tuesday in Japan.
Laird– who had brief stints with the New York Yankees in 2011 and the Houston Astros in 2012 and 2013- now plays for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japanese League.
On Tuesday, his home run off a Kirin Beer sign earned him a year’s supply of beer and $10,000, according to a report in the Japan Times. Laird led Nippon with 34 home runs last season.
“I think it’s pretty cool when they tell you if you hit the signs you get a prize like that,” Laird told the Japan Times. “To actually do it in a game was pretty cool.”
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He also said he plans to put the prize money to his home in Arizona, although he’s offering the beer out to others to drink.
“Definitely not drink it,” Laird, 28, said when asked what he’d do with his thirst-quenching prize. “Maybe give some to the batting practice pitchers or whoever wants it.”
The third baseman is a native of Orange County, Calif., and hit six home runs during three separate MLB stints with the Astros and Yankees. The Ham Fighters defeated the Orix Buffaloes 4-0 on Tuesday.
PHOTO: ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Brandon Laird #4 of the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 24, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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