Hideki Matsui

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Matsui played the first 10 seasons of his career in Japan for NPB's Yomiuri Giants. During that span, he was a nine-time All-Star, three-time Japan Series champion, and three-time Central League Most Valuable Player (MVP). In 2003, Matsui transitioned to playing in MLB in North America, and spent his first seven seasons there with the New York Yankees. As a Yankee, he was a two-time All-Star and 2009 World Series champion, for which he was named the World Series MVP. He is the first Asian player to win the award in league history. After becoming a free agent, Matsui had one-year stints with three other MLB teams: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, and Tampa Bay Rays. On July 28, 2013, Matsui signed a one-day minor league contract with the Yankees in order to officially retire with the team.

In Their Own Story

In the 2009 World Series, Matsui helped the Yankees defeat the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies in six games by hitting .615 (8-for-13) with three home runs and 8 RBI. In Game 6, he tied Bobby Richardson's single-game World Series record with six RBIs. Since the designated hitter position was not used in the three games in Philadelphia, Matsui only started the three games in New York; nevertheless, his performance earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. He became the first Japanese-born player to win the award, as well as the first player to win it as a full-time designated hitter in the World Series. He joined his 1994 Japan Series teammate Dan Gladden as players to have won championships in both North America and Japan. Matsui also became the third player in Major League history to bat .500 or above and hit three home runs in the same World Series, joining only Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Reader's Guide

During his 20-year playing career, Matsui hit 507 home runs, 332 in NPB and 175 in MLB. In 2018, Matsui was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was born in Neagari, Ishikawa, Japan (later merged into Nomi, Ishikawa). Matsui originally batted right-handed as a child, but switched to batting left-handed after his older brother insisted he do so. In high school, he drew five consecutive intentional walks in a game at Koshien in 1992. He was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants in the first round and given uniform number 55. His breakout season in Japan came in 1996. He led the Central League in home runs and RBIs three times (1998, 2000, and 2002). His single-season mark for home runs was 50 in 2002. In Japan, he earned the nickname "Godzilla." He turned down a $64 million, six-year offer from the Giants in 2001. Matsui signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Yankees on December 19, 2002. On March 31, 2003, he made his MLB debut against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada. He hit an RBI single in his first MLB at-bat. In the 2003 World Series, he became the first Japanese player to hit a home run in the World Series. He narrowly lost the Rookie of the Year Award to Ángel Berroa after two writers refused to include him on their ballots due to his age. In 2005, he set MLB career highs with a .305 average and 116 RBIs. On November 15, 2005, he signed a four-year deal for $52 million, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki as the highest paid Japanese player in baseball. On May 6, 2007, he recorded his 2,000th hit in combined hits in NPB and MLB. On August 5, 2007, he became the first Japanese player in MLB history to hit 100 home runs. In the 2009 World Series, Matsui helped the Yankees defeat the opponent and was named World Series MVP.

Did You Know?

• Matsui is the first Asian player to win the World Series MVP award.
• He hit 507 career home runs across NPB and MLB.
• He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
• Matsui's nickname "Godzilla" originated from his skin problems early in his career.