During Benny Agbayani's 11 years of professional baseball in the United States it was like being a survivor. But these days, he is treated more like an American idol — in Japan.

Agbayani, who turned 35 on Dec. 28, enters his fourth season with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League in Nippon Professional Baseball. At least now, when he speaks of his sport as a numbers game, it's about his production rather than an opening for a roster spot.

"I don't have to deal with the politics," said Agbayani, who leaves later this month for spring training. "They just give me my contract and let me play ... I don't have to worry about the GM calling me, telling me they're sending me down or they're going to move this guy and all these things I've been through that people don't know about."

It's been fun for the 1989 Saint Louis School graduate, who was a 30th-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 1993 out of Hawai'i Pacific University. The Japanese fans recognize him away from the ballpark. He is stopped by fans for autographs or for pictures taken on cell phone cameras. Even going shopping is an adventure.

"When they see you up in person, it's like a big deal," Agbayani said of the fans. "If you're in the store, the whole store is going to know you're in there. We went to a store one time with my kids. All of a sudden, they're playing the Chiba Lotte Marines team song (on the store's speakers)."

HAPPY CAMPER

The Marines outfielder is content with this new fame in a foreign country. He also is committed to the Marines, signing a guaranteed two-year extension, he said.

"If I can squeeze out these two years, that would be great," he said. "If I can squeeze out another after my two years, that would be even better."

His most productive season was his first with the Marines, when he played 130 games, batting .315 with 35 home runs and 100 RBIs.

The next season, the Marines won the Japan Series, the World Series of Japan, and the Konami Cup, a tournament of Asian pro league champions. Agbayani was MVP of the Konami Cup.

This past season, Agbayani his .281 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs. A freak knee injury sidelined him for about 2 1/2 weeks after an exuberant teammate got a game-winning hit and leaped into Agbayani in the celebration.

"He thought I was the one running, but I got pinch-ran for," Agbayani said. "He was all excited."

HOME TEAM

Agbayani's contract extension comes at a crucial time, but not just because he is nearing the twilight of his career. His family will grow bigger this spring, as he and wife Niela, are expecting their third child. Their first boy — yes, they know the gender already — will arrive about the time of the Marines season opener in late March.

"She'll have a C-section so that I can come home (for the birth) and then return in time for the season opener," Agbayani said.

Niela and daughters Aleia, 5, and Ailana, 2, as well as the newborn, will fly to Japan later in the season. His family has stayed with him in Japan each of the last three seasons.

CULTURE SHOCK

While he has assimilated well in Japan, Agbayani said playing there can be an eye-opener for gaijin, or foreigners.

"Some of the (American players) were in shock that we had meetings everyday to go over the pitchers," Agbayani said. "But that's the way the Japanese do things. To fit in that atmosphere, you just have to try fit in, try to do things that they want you to do."

Of course, it helps that the Marines' manager is Bobby Valentine, who happened to be Agbayani's manager when they were with the New York Mets.

Although he has had inquiries about returning to the U.S. majors, Agbayani has weighed all the factors.

"I'm at that age where if I go back, I'll be a bench player," he said. "I'm considered old (for baseball). You hardly see any starters in their late 30s. I'd consider it, but I'm very satisfied and very happy in Japan."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.