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
based decision prepare season time winning
My decision was based on what's really most important. What do I prioritize? From that standpoint, this season and winning a championship was the most important thing. Especially this time of year, it's very important to prepare yourself.
again certainly coming fact factor joe manage
Certainly the fact that Joe was coming back to manage again for me was a big factor in my decision.
joe
It's getting better. I told Joe I could play. It's up to him.
pitch took
I took the pitch because I thought it was a ball.
beyond goes popularity
If popularity goes down, then it goes down. It can't be helped. It's beyond my control.
bat swing telling
He's telling me to just relax, ... and swing the bat your own way.
bit time
For me, personally, ... I'd like a little bit more time to prepare.
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.
amount salary
The amount of a salary is very important, ... I think it's important for all professional athletes. We are evaluated by our own salaries.
knowing respect senior
He's my senior and I respect him. Knowing that and having to make that decision, it was very difficult.
new-york yankees fans
I love New York. I love the Yankees. I love the fans here.
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.
trying approach ups-and-downs
What I try to do is don't have any ups and downs. I emphasize taking the same approach.
baseball lonely player
I'm a baseball player. Not being able to play baseball certainly was a lonely thing.