Modified on December 17, 2009
Matsui joins the Angels
Matsui held a press conference in Anaheim on Dec 16.
He wore his new uniform, the first time he wears a red baseball outfit.
But the number was again 55.
It's reported that he's tied a 1 year contract with the Angels for 6.5 million dollars.
WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN 2009
World Series:vs Philadephia Phillies
MVP:Hideki Matsui
In the first game on Oct 28, in the 5th inning, Matsui hit the ball to center field and got on first base.
But he made the wrong decision when in fact the ball was directly caught by the Phillies.
He didn't go back to 1st base and was called out.
The Yankees lost 1 to 6.
On Oct 29, Matsui singled in the first inning.
In the 6th inning, with the game tied at that point, Matsui swang hard against a low pitch and that went
into the stands. With this home run the Yankees won 3 to 1.
On Oct 31, the Yankees took the lead in the 5th inning. That lead was increased with
Matsui's home run in the 8th inning. The Yankees won 8 to 5.
On Nov 2, Matsui was a pinch hitter in the 9th inning.
He got himself on base. But was called out on Derek Jeter's grounded ball.
The Yankees lost 6 to 8.
The game was back in New York on Nov 4. Matsui played as DH.
He was a wonder. In the 2nd inning,Matsui slammed a 2 run home run.
In the 3rd with bases loaded he batted in 2 runs.
In the 5th, he had 2 RBI hit again.
Thanks to Matsui, the Yankees won 7 to 3 against the Phillies and became the World Champion.
Matsui became the first Japanese ever to be named MVP of the World Series.
Championship Series:vs Los Angeles Angels
Matsui was hitting 5th in the series on Oct 16.
At his first time up to bat, he popped up the ball which appeared catchable.
But the LA Angels dropped it and Johnny Damon came home.
In the 5th inning, Matsui doubled for another RBI.
The Yankees beat the Angels 4 to 1.
On Oct 22, Matsui hit home a runner to equalize. He came running home too.
But the Yankees pitchers could not withstand. The team lost 6 to 7, to make this a 2nd loss in 5 games.
On Oct 25, Matsui did not contribute, but his tea won 5 to 2 and advanced to the World Series.
Playoffs:Oct 8
In the 5th inning, Matsui blasted a 2 run home run.
The Yankees was already ahead before that and defeated the Minnesota Twins.
7 to 2.
WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN 2009
Sept 27
Matsu slammed in 2 runs to take the lead over the Boston Red Sox.
He hit off Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito.
And with a 4 to 2 win, the Yankees clinched the American League East title.
Sept 22
In the 5th inning, Matsui slammed a home run. It's his 28th this season.
It's also a home run in 2 games in a row.
His team beat the Angels 6 to 5, and advanced to the playoffs.
Aug 23
Gozilla was exploding again.
He had 2 home runs and helped his team win 8 to 4 over the Boston Red Sox.
Aug 21
Matsui blasted a 3 run homer in the 5th inning.
He did it again in the 9th inning.
The Yankees overwhelmed the Boston Red Sox 20 to 11.
Aug 13
Matsui was amazing. He slammed 2 run home runs twice.
It's the first time in the MLB.
His team beat the Seattle Mariner 11 to 1.
July 20
Matsui contributed with a game winning home run to take his team to a 2 to 1
win over the Baltimore Orioles.
He was smacked with cream on his face while he was giving a hero's interview.
July 4
In the 2nd inning, Matsui helped his team equalize with his home run.
He also had a 2 base hit in the 8th inning.
In the 12th inning, his team clinched the game 6 to 5 over the Toronto BlueJays.
July 2
Matsui slammed a 2 run homer in the 4th inning.
He had another RBI hit. However, the NY Yankees lost to the Seattle Mariners
4 to 8.
June 14
Matsui blasted a 2 run home run. and in that inning, his team exploded.
In the end the Yankees won 15 to 0 against the NY Mets.
June 12
Matsui celebrated his birthday with a 3 run home run. It's his 9th homer this season.
The Yankees later went behind the NY Mets, but in the 9th inning,
an error gave the Yankees a 9 to 8 win.
May 30
In the 4th inning, Matsui doubled. In the 7th, he singled. And in the 9th
he had an RBI 2 base. He contributed to the Yankees 10 to 5 win over the Cleveland Indians.
May 27
Matsui exploded. He slammed 2 homers, and hit in 3 runs, to help his team
beat the Texas Rangers 9 to 2.
May 7
Matsui hit his 3rd home run of the season in the 5th inning.
But his team lost its 5th game in a row in a 6 to 8 game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Apr 29
The 4th inning was a big inning.
Matsui walked and came home on a homerun.
He was up to bat for the 2nd time the same inning.
He cleared the bases with a 2 base hit.
The Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 8 to 6.
Apr 26
Matsui appears to be back in shape.
He had 2 base hits in the game against the Boston Red Sox, but his team
lost 1 to 4.
Apr 22
Matsui homered in a competeitve game and also had a base hit.
The Yankees in the end clinched the 14 inning game against the Oakland Athletics 9 to 7.
April 6
Matsui started as a designated hitter.
It was in the 7th inning, he slammed a 2 run home run.
It's his career 445th home run which is a significant number for him as he's
exceeded the total homer hit by his mentor Shigeo Nagashima.
But his team lost 5 to 10 to the Baltimore Orioles.
WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN 2008
September 21
Matsui played in an emotional final regular season game at the Yankees Stadium.
He appeared as a designated hitter. He had a base hit.
His team defeated the Baltimore Orioled 7 to 3.
After the game it was unveiled Matsui have his left knee operated in NY.
Sept 6
In the 2nd inning, Matsui doubled.
He had an RBI hit.
In all he hit himself on base 3 times and contributed to the Yankees 7 to 4 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Aug 21
Matsui blasted a 3 run home run.
But the Yankees lost more runs, and so his team lost 3 to 14 to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Aug 19
Matsui was finally back after injuring his knee.
He had 3 opportunities to bat, but failed to contribute.
The Yankees lost 1 to 2 to the Toronto BlueJays.
June 12
Matsui celebrated his 34th birthday in the best way possible.
He blasted a grand slam which gave his team a 4 to 1 win over the Oakland Athletics.
May 28
Matsui has been hitting well. But he had a lucky 2 base hit in the 2nd inning.
He doubled in the 9th inning too.
Matsui has at this point leads the league with an ERA of .330.
The Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 4 to 2.
May 8
Matsui extended his consecutive game hits to 17.
That's with 2 base hits.
The Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 6 to 3.
May 4
With his hit, the Yankees equalized. Matsui had another RBI hit.
His team again defeated the Seattle Mariners 8 to 2.
May 3
In the 3rd inning, Matsui recorded a hit in 13 consecutive games.
It was a 2 base RBI. He had another hit and his team beat the
Seattle Mariners 6 to 1.
Apr 15
Matsui slammed his 3 home run of the season.
Separately he had an RBI hit.
The Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5 to 3.
Apr 11
Matsui singled and also doubled in this game against the Boston Red Sox.
His team won 4 to 1.
Apr 7
Matsui continued to hit well. In the 6th inning, he hit in a run with a double.
In the 7th, he had another RBI hit.
His team beat the Cincinnatti Reds again 6 to 1.
Apr 6
Matsui slammed a 2 run home run aside from 2 base hits.
With that his team beat the Cincinnatti Red 2 to 0.
Apr 4
In the 3rd inning, Matsui blasted a home run. It's his first this season.
That was his only hit. His team lost to the Cincinnatti Reds 4 to 13.
Apr 2
In the 2nd game for the Yankees this season, Matsui had his first hit of the season.
But his team lost to the Toronto BluJays 2 to 5.
Matsui is married
It was a earthshaking announcement for Japanese fans.
Matsui announced the day after his wedding that he married a 25 year old woman he met in 2006.
He was love at first sight.
There have been so many gossips about him dating beautiful actresses so this annoucnement
came as a surprise.
For Matsui's past performances, go to ARCHIVE