Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsuiis a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played baseball in Japan and the United States. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth12 June 1974
CityIshikawa, Japan
baseball classic decision difficult event prepare time year
An event like the baseball classic is very important for baseball. This time of year is a very important time to prepare for the season. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I have no regrets.
pitch took
I took the pitch because I thought it was a ball.
barrel became difference felt good happy hit situation swing
It felt pretty good. I didn't hit it on the barrel but I got a pretty good swing on it. I feel pretty happy in a situation like that, to be able to come through with a hit like that. And it essentially became the difference in the game.
knee
My knee isn't that bad. It's actually improving.
joe
It's getting better. I told Joe I could play. It's up to him.
champion chasing decided fear goals join might national reason states united
I have decided not to join up with the national squad. . . . The reason I decided to go to the United States was to try and become a world champion with the Yankees, and I fear that chasing two goals might get in the way of that dream.
happened knee
My knee isn't that bad. This has happened in the past.
decision satisfied
I'm satisfied with my decision and have been able to get my preparation here. I have no regrets.
hit lost stepped
Everything is fine. When I stepped on the bag, the way I hit it, I kind of lost my balance.
aware hard pinpoint
You feel that something's not right, but it's hard to pinpoint it. You have to be really aware of every part of your swing.
trying approach ups-and-downs
What I try to do is don't have any ups and downs. I emphasize taking the same approach.
winning journey yankees
My first and foremost goal when I joined the Yankees was to win the world championship. Certainly, it's been a long road and very difficult journey. But I'm just happy that after all these years we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for.