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Revision as of 14:20, 14 July 2004
Hideki Matsui (Japanese: 松井 秀喜) (born June 12, 1974) is a Japanese Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. He has been nicknamed "Godzilla", and has generated excitement from fans. His hair style has prompted some of his teammates to jokingly refer to him as "Shemp". Many reporters and photographers have followed him from his home in Tokyo, Japan.
Born in Ishikawa, Japan. Started playing baseball when he was in elementary school. Participated in Koshien championship, National Highschool Baseball tornament, once in spring and three times in summer during his highschool years. Experienced five consecutive intentional walks in a game and became a nationwide topic in Japan at that time. Graduated from Seiryo-Highschool in Ishikawa and drafted by Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo in the first round pick.
Matsui was a three-time MVP in the (Japanese) Central League, playing for the Yomiuri Giants, Japan's most famous team. In 2003, his first season in Major League Baseball, Matsui collected 179 hits in 623 at bats, including 42 doubles and a triple, for a .287 batting average.