39 Facts About Hideki Matsui

Hideki Matsui, nicknamed "Godzilla", is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played baseball in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

In 2003, Hideki Matsui transitioned to playing in MLB in North America, and spent his first seven seasons there with the New York Yankees.

On July 28,2013, Hideki Matsui signed a one-day minor league contract with the Yankees in order to officially retire with the team.

In 2018, Hideki Matsui was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hideki Matsui was born in Neagari, Ishikawa, Japan.

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However, when he started playing with his older brother and his friends, Hideki Matsui was such a good hitter that his embarrassed brother insisted that he bat left-handed or stop playing with them.

Hideki Matsui soon became an overpowering left-handed batter, thereafter batting left-handed.

Hideki Matsui was recruited by Seiryo High School in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, a Western Honshu baseball powerhouse.

Hideki Matsui was given the uniform number 55, which was the single-season home run record held by Sadaharu Oh.

Hideki Matsui made nine consecutive all-star games and led the league in home runs and RBIs three times.

In 2001, Hideki Matsui turned down a $64 million, six-year offer from the Yomiuri Giants, the highest in NPB history.

Hideki Matsui signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Yankees on December 19,2002.

On March 31,2003, Hideki Matsui made his MLB debut against Toronto Blue Jays in Canada.

Hideki Matsui became the first Japanese player who made his MLB debut in Canada.

Hideki Matsui hit an RBI single in his first MLB at-bat and, at the 2003 Yankee home opener, he became the first Yankee to hit a grand slam in his first game at Yankee Stadium.

Hideki Matsui was the American League All-Star Final Vote winner in 2004.

On November 15,2005, Hideki Matsui signed a four-year deal for $52 million, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki as the highest paid Japanese player in baseball, and securing his place with the Yankees through 2009.

Hideki Matsui retained the "Godzilla" nickname and the song "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult was often played when he went up to bat.

On May 6,2007, Hideki Matsui recorded his 2,000th hit in combined hits in NPB and MLB during a game vs the Mariners, which earned him a place in Japan's Golden Players Club, reserved for players who have hit 2,000 hits, have 200 wins or have 250 saves professionally.

Hideki Matsui went 2-for-4 that day; the second hit was a clean single to right field.

Hideki Matsui became the first Yankees hitter to ever drive in seven runs in a game at Fenway Park since Lou Gehrig in 1930.

Two games later, Hideki Matsui would hit two home runs for his third time in just seven games.

Since the designated hitter position was not used in the three games in Philadelphia, Hideki Matsui only started the three games in New York; nevertheless, his performance earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

Hideki Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to win the award, as well as the first player to win it as a full-time designated hitter in the World Series.

Hideki Matsui joined his 1994 Japan Series teammate Dan Gladden as players to have won championships in both North America and Japan.

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Hideki Matsui became the third player in Major League history to bat.

On December 16,2009, Hideki Matsui agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim worth $6.

Hideki Matsui returned to free agent status following the close of the season, and on November 23,2010, the Angels announced that they would not offer him salary arbitration.

Hideki Matsui joined the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, on May 15,2012.

Hideki Matsui was designated for assignment by the Rays on July 25,2012, and was released on August 1.

Hideki Matsui ended his career by signing a one-day contract with the New York Yankees in 2013.

On July 28,2013, Hideki Matsui signed a one-day contract with the New York Yankees, and formally retired as a member of the team, the Yankees organization granting his last wish in honor of his years as a successful player with the team.

On January 15,2018, Hideki Matsui was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame with 91.

Hideki Matsui was one of the torchbearers in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Hideki Matsui did not miss a game in his first three seasons with the Yankees, putting together a streak of 518 games played.

Hideki Matsui holds the record for longest streak of consecutive games played to start a Major League Baseball career.

Hideki Matsui personally donated $500,000 towards charity relief for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Hideki Matsui donated $620,000 to relief efforts for victims of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 in the Tohoku region of Japan.

Hideki Matsui announced to the press on March 27,2008, that he had married in a private ceremony in New York.