WHY MATSUI MAY TRULY BE THE SAYONARA KID

There is one thing that Hideki Matsui is...he is a great New York Yankee. I often think about if he didn’t hurt his wrist when he did and I believe that that major injury contributed to his unspoken title of "damaged goods." Sure Matsui dazzled everyone as he exited the Bronx with a 2009 World Series show that was one for the ages. He was a New York Hero and did it in style, almost like he was finally comfortable again after a long road back. It was a message, “I love the New York fans. It appears to be the end. Thank you for the support. Here’s a laser show for you all.”

Matsui went out to Los Angeles and was part of the Angels in a about 140 games and the best thing about Matsui was, he knew how to take a joke. at the beginning of the 2010 season, when they gave out the rings to the World Championship Yankees, the Yanks played a trick on him and planted a fake ring. That got a huge laugh and you have to stop and think about that for a second... Matsui was part of our family for a long time and guys like Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada really got tight with Godzilla. I remember there was some bet between Jeter and Matsui about who would get married first, read HERE, and Matsui came to the clubhouse one day with a picture of his wife...and illustration mind you, but I guess he won. The point is, they seemed like brothers and it didn’t matter that there was a language barrier.

Last year with the Athletics, he played alittle outfield again and had some decent moments and had some bad moments too, but he still did OK at the plate. In 2011, he batted .251 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs.

Now, these days in the free agent market where most teams are sitting back and not spending on older ballplayers, Hideki Matsui is alone. He’s a great man and an still a good ballplayer at the age of 37, but he has no home. Read HERE. The plan? Sit and wait according to Matsui… it’s all he can do. Sure, Matsui can retire and if you think about it, it would make sense; he was part of the Yomiuri Giants for years in Japan before even stepping foot in Yankee Stadium. He’s a hero back in Japan and if he returned now to finish out his days, maybe coach with the Giants, he’d be remembered and honored as the next great baseball player coming out of Japan since Ichiro and Sadaharu Oh.

But Matsui doesn’t appear to be done yet and it’s got to be killing him that teams haven’t really engaged him yet. But don’t feel sorry for Matsui, applaude him. One thing Matsui has always done is work hard and never given up. That starts with his days with the Giants, to his first homer in America, a Grand slam at Yankee Stadium, to his Godzilla like pounce on home plate, to his amazing 2009 World Series Game 6. Hideki Matsui may be down right now, but he’s not out. Maybe one day real soon, he finds a home, be it in the states or back home in Japan. To me, the choice is simple… either is a win, win.

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