The New York Times reports that Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui has agreed to a one-year deal with the Angels. It was clear that Matsui was not in the plans for the Yankees moving forward and I understand the logic behind their thinking. Still, I will miss him. Which is why I’m pleased that I’m a fan and not an executive. I can appreciate them not re-signing him as a baseball move and still feel sad that “one of ours” has left town. (Matsui joins two other former Yanks, Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera in the Angels line-up.)
Matsui wasn’t a great Yankee but he was better than good (a new age ‘Ol Reliable) who enjoyed some terrific big-game moments, none bigger than Game 6 of the Serious last month. The Red Sox surely won’t be sorry to see him go. I will miss his calm demeanor (has he ever argued with an umpire since he’s been in States?) and his slashing line-drives. Who’ll soon forget his batting stance? Matsui stood erect and still, his shoulders twitching slightly like a horse swatting away flies with its tail. He was not a physical giant like Alex Rodriguez, but he was a massive guy, the widest player, across the chest, I’ve ever seen.
I’ll even miss his failures, when he rolled over pitches and hit weak dribblers to second, prompting the nickname Groundzilla. I’ll miss his giant head and enormous ears, his sketchy wife and talk of his extensive porn collection. I’ll miss his smile, his joking with teammates, and the feeling that he has a sly sense of humor, not to mention his taste in warm-up songs–from Day Tripper to The Immigrant Song.
Matsui is an icon in Japan (just like Chien-Ming Wang is a national hero in Taiwan) who will be fondly remembered in New York where he became a hero. He’s not as big as Jeter or Rivera or Rodriguez, but a hero all the same–and he’s a far bigger star back home than any baseball player is here. Perhaps he’ll be even more appreciated in New York once he’s gone.
But most of us appreciated him just fine while he was here. In the coming days, I’m sure we’ll read the usual cliches about Matsui being a “classy, professional Yankee.” You know, the kind with “dignity” and “grit.” They might be cliches but if the shoe fits…
Here’s wishing him good luck and success in California.
Sniff.
