Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

Start Spreading the News: New York Newspapers highlight Hideki Matsui's magnificent World Series performance. KYODO PHOTOS

Kyodo

Former Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima said Thursday he was nearly brought to tears by a record-tying six-RBI MVP performance by Hideki Matsui in Game 6 of the World Series on Wednesday.

Proud moment: Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui salutes the crowd after winning the World Series MVP award on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The veteran slugger batted .615 in the six-game series.

"When I saw Matsui's smiling face, I was so happy that I was nearly moved to tears. This season, he had to endure difficult conditions with his health but was rewarded in the best possible fashion," said Nagashima, who selected Matsui when he was a high school student to play for the Giants in the 1992 draft.

Matsui, who became the first Japanese-born World Series MVP, went 3-for-4 as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 to win the best-of-seven fours games to two.

He batted 8-for-13 (.615) in the series with three homers and eight RBIs, primarily in the designated hitter spot, helping the Yankees win their 27th championship and first since 2000.

Current Yomiuri manager Tatsunori Hara, who has his hands full leading his team against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the Japan Series and also led Japan to the 2009 World Baseball Classic title, said, "We are all happy for him. I believe he must have a real feeling of accomplishment."

Yomiuri shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, who is in his third year of pro baseball after also coming directly out of high school to enter the big stage, said, "He is someone I aspire to be like. It's amazing that he could perform the way he did on a stage like that."

Sadaharu Oh, the all-time home run leader in Japan and former Giants star said that Matsui had blazed his trail in the majors.

"He opened the road up himself and he got the best result possible in his seventh year there," he said.

Meanwhile, Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato praised Matsui's feat, especially because he accomplished it as the designated hitter.

"Designated hitters have a limited role as it is, so it is truly a feat to win the MVP in the World Series," Kato said. "That speaks volumes of the great quality of his hitting."

Matsui, who suffers from knee problems, came to the end of a four-year, $52 million deal with Yankees.

Despite Matsui expressing his desire to return to the Yankees next year in a bid for a repeat, general manager Brian Cashman said he was not ready to comment on whether Matsui will be part of the club's plans for next season.

If nothing is decided in two weeks, Matsui will become a free agent with the right to negotiate with other teams on Nov. 20.

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