Hideki Matsui

Who is Hideki Matsui?

Hideki Matsui is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played baseball in Japan and the United States. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York Yankees of North America's Major League Baseball. As a free agent, Matsui then had one-year stints with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Oakland Athletics, and the Tampa Bay Rays. Matsui was successful in both leagues, winning the Central League Most Valuable Player Award three times in Japan, as well as the World Series Most Valuable Player Award in the United States. On July 28, 2013, Matsui signed an one-day minor league contract with the New York Yankees in order to officially retire as a Yankee. A pregame ceremony was held for him before the game.