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
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.
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.
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.
knee
My knee isn't that bad. It's actually improving.
ball high hit looking pitch pulled second zone
My first and second at-bats, I pulled the ball with grounders to the right side. In that at-bat, I was looking to go with the pitch, for a pitch high in the zone I could hit to the outfield.
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.
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.
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.
bit time
For me, personally, ... I'd like a little bit more time to prepare.
changed manager oh situation soon thinking
The situation hasn't changed at all. I'm still thinking it over. But I would like to let manager Sadaharu Oh know what I'll do as soon as he comes back from Taiwan.
bat swing telling
He's telling me to just relax, ... and swing the bat your own way.
again happy pinstripes wear
I'm very happy to be able to come back, wear the pinstripes again and play in that uniform.
beyond goes popularity
If popularity goes down, then it goes down. It can't be helped. It's beyond my control.