Hideki Matsui Fansite

 

Hideki Matsui Quotes

 

• The power of home run hitters in the majors is different from those here. It’s probably difficult for me to match that power now.

• It’s important to find a team where you can be comfortable. I know there are a lot of high expectatons.

• I don't have any special feelings (about 500) but I am pleased to have been able to build toward that.

• The changeup is something I’m not used to. They don’t throw those in Japan

• The third one was high in the strike zone. I have my strategy against left-handers.

• It didn't seem like they were looking for the ball. That's when I heard my teammates yelling.

• Perhaps my father will be pretty happy if I give it to him.

• I will do my best to fully recover and return to the field to help my team once again.

• I think that's the plan until somebody tells me otherwise. It has happened in the season before. It's not a big deal.

• When I first started out professionally in Japan, I had a number in mind, maybe 500, 600 or 700, ... but not anymore.

• The feeling itself, it is the same. I don't really add the statistics that I had in Japan and the home runs here.

• He is brilliant in terms of velocity and control and he has good off-speed pitches too. Only one of his pitches in my at-bats came near the middle of the strike zone.

• I want to go ahead a swing when I can and so I did it.

• I’ve been watching American baseball on television for a long time, but it was only in recent years that, realistically, I’ve been thinking about playing here.

• I think homers are my best trait—I look forward to hitting them over there.

• He's my senior and I respect him. Knowing that and having to make that decision, it was very difficult.

• 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.

• The Yankees had their reasons for not wanting me to play. Major League Baseball had its reasons for wanting me to play. But at the end of the day, what was important to me is to win a championship ring with the Yankees.

• If I had hit in those opportunities, maybe the game would have been a little different. It's a bitter feeling.

• For me, personally, ... I'd like a little bit more time to prepare.

• At this point I'm not thinking about anything but what happened tonight, ... My head is filled with thoughts of what happened. I'll think about that when the time is right.

• The amount of a salary is very important, ... I think it's important for all professional athletes. We are evaluated by our own salaries.

• I'm very happy to be able to come back, wear the pinstripes again and play in that uniform.

• It's certainly an honor, but with that honor comes the responsibility to fulfil the contract.

• I know that it would be ideal to play for both club and country and I understand that Sadaharu Oh and the fans were hoping I would do that.

• If popularity goes down, then it goes down. It can't be helped. It's beyond my control.

• An event like the baseball classic is very important for baseball. This time of year is a very important time to prepare for the season. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I have no regrets.

• Certainly the fact that Joe was coming back to manage again for me was a big factor in my decision.

• I’m aware the fans in the U.S. can be less forgiving...I’ll just have to do my best to please them.

• I had no intention to compete with Ichiro or anything like that. It certainly is an honor, but beyond that honor comes the responsibility to fulfill that contract.

• 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.

• 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.

 

Hideki Matsui Career Stats

Games - 681
AB - 2555
R - 431
H - 753
2B - 158
3B - 10
HR - 103
RBI - 462
SB - 12
BA - .295

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