Baseball: Diamondbacks' Hirano says age no barrier to his MLB success

Japanese right-hander Yoshihisa Hirano said Monday he is grateful for the opportunity to restart his baseball career with a new team in his mid-30s and looks forward to the challenge that awaits him in the major leagues.Hirano agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in December after 12 seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Orix Buffaloes, including the 2008 season he missed due to elbow surgery.In a news conference in which he introduced himself in English, the veteran reliever said he hopes to prove wrong any doubters who say he is past his prime."Given t…READ FULL ARTICLE