Matsui praised as he announces his retirement
Source: AFP |
December 29, 2012, Saturday
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JAPANESE baseball managers, players, fans and media showered praise on former New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui yesterday as he announced his retirement after 20 years in Japanese and US baseball.
"I've had a lot of teammates over the years with the Yankees, but I will always consider Hideki one of my favorites," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said.
"Despite being shadowed by a large group of reporters, having the pressures of performing for his fans both in New York and Japan and becoming acclimated to the bright lights of New York City, he always remained focused and committed to his job and to those of us he shared the clubhouse with. I have a lot of respect for Hideki."
Some hoped the 38-year-old outfielder would remain in the game and one day manage Japan's hugely popular Yomiuri Giants - his club for his first 10 professional years before a high-profile move to the US major leagues.
"Thank you, glorious Godzilla," the Yomiuri Shimbun said in its evening edition hours after Matsui, named after the world-famous Japanese movie monster, bade farewell in New York. "Hitting a total 507 home runs while loved in Japan, US", read a headline in the Mainichi Shimbun.
Matsui, who played for three different clubs over the last three seasons after becoming the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, said he had not been able to produce good results in the past two years due to nagging knee problems. "I felt it was the end of a great Matsui era," said Giants manager Tatsunori Hara.
"I've had a lot of teammates over the years with the Yankees, but I will always consider Hideki one of my favorites," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said.
"Despite being shadowed by a large group of reporters, having the pressures of performing for his fans both in New York and Japan and becoming acclimated to the bright lights of New York City, he always remained focused and committed to his job and to those of us he shared the clubhouse with. I have a lot of respect for Hideki."
Some hoped the 38-year-old outfielder would remain in the game and one day manage Japan's hugely popular Yomiuri Giants - his club for his first 10 professional years before a high-profile move to the US major leagues.
"Thank you, glorious Godzilla," the Yomiuri Shimbun said in its evening edition hours after Matsui, named after the world-famous Japanese movie monster, bade farewell in New York. "Hitting a total 507 home runs while loved in Japan, US", read a headline in the Mainichi Shimbun.
Matsui, who played for three different clubs over the last three seasons after becoming the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, said he had not been able to produce good results in the past two years due to nagging knee problems. "I felt it was the end of a great Matsui era," said Giants manager Tatsunori Hara.
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