"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Cheers for Hideki Matsui rained throughout Yankees Stadium prior to the New York Yankees taking the field to face the Tampa Bay Rays. It was an emotional moment, both for Matsui and for the Bronx faithful, who had come out to see the 2009 World Series MVP take one last bow. I made sure that I wouldn't miss this game and ceremony for everything it meant.
Several hours before the ceremony began, a massive crowd formed outside of Yankees Stadium to catch one last glimpse of Matsui and collect the limited edition bobble head doll of Matsui. Amongst the many fans, groups of Japanese baseball fans gathered to pay tribute to the man who was named a recipient of the People's Honor Award in Japan by the Japanese Prime Minister earlier this year. He is one of only 23 people given this distinct honor in Japan.
While waiting for admission, I texted my friend, a Japanese sports writer, telling him how massive the crowd is and he responded that he is waiting for Matsui's press conference to sign the one-day deal. At 11 a.m., the staff start admitting the crowd, but due to the limited number of gates open, the lines didn't move quickly. There was no way I was going to walk away from today's game without getting my Matsui bobble head, so I made sure I was one of the first 18,000 fans to claim one.
Minutes later behind closed doors, the press conference where the Yankees signed Matsui to a one-day minor league contract took place, and all the pieces were put in place for the touching ceremony to take place. The anticipation of Matsui's entrance grew larger by the minute as people filled the stands. Then, the moment we all waited for began.
The Yankees played a video montage of Matsui's highlights in pinstripes: from his first home run as a Yankee when he hit a grand slam against the Minnesota Twins, to his MVP performance in the 2009 World Series. Matsui strolled out from the center field in a golf cart along the left field grass, which he patrolled for six years from 2003 to 2009. The audience showered Matsui with love: clapping, whistling and waving signs that welcomed back, thanked and congratulated the beloved Yankee from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Matsui stepped out of the cart in front of the visiting and walked towards the table set by the Yankees near home plate, while the cheers seemed endless. The Yankees' Public Address Announcer Paul Olden introduced Matsui to the crowd and also introduced his family. His dad, Masao; mom, Saeko; and brother, Tashiki all made the trip from Japan to join him on this special occasion, and it was touching to see. Interestingly, the wife did not make an appearance, unlike the other family members who have already been exposed to the public, so it's safe to assume she probably wants to remain hidden from the public eye.
There was some part of me that wished Matsui wouldn't retire and he'd just re-up with the Yankees on the spot. Unlike previous years, the aging stars on the Yankees were already injured and off the field, and Cashman focused on signing a full-time DH so I though why not? He could still take advantage of the short porch in right field and be better than anything Hafner is providing at the moment. Unfortunately, any thoughts of that were shot down as soon as general manager Brian Cashman and senior vice president & assistant general manager Jean Afterman took the field to present Matsui with retirement papers.
After a handful of signatures, it was official; the once feared hitter from the east nick-named Godzilla had hung his spikes up for good. After exchanging embraces with Afterman and Cashman, the Yankees presented Matsui with a matted and framed number 55 uniform from the 2009 season, which had a patch on the left sleeve for the 2009 inaugural season and one on the right sleeve for the 2009 World Series Champions. The crowd erupted once again as Olden announced the name of the Yankee responsible for presenting Matsui with the gift, the captain who embodies the Yankees class and dignity like no other, Derek Jeter.
As the two embraced and posed for a picture together, the rest of the team spilled onto the field to join Matsui. With guys like Andy Pettitte, Alfonso Soriano, Jeter and Mariano Rivera, it felt like old times in the Bronx all over again. The smiles on the face of all the players said it all, the uttermost respect and bliss for a man they embraced as one of their own.
Prior to the commencement of the game, Matsui donned his number 55 jersey for one last time and took the mound to throw out the first pitch. Hughes stepped aside to let Matsui toe the rubber, and fired one to catcher Chris Stewart. The crowd cheered Matsui one last time as he doffed his cap in recognition and walked toward the clubhouse he called home for 7 years.
It was only fitting, that on a day when Matsui was being honored, the old reliable guard provided the highlights of the game. Jeter coming back and homering on the first pitch to give the Yankees the lead, and also collecting a single and a walk in only his second game of the year. Soriano erupted for his first hit as a Yankee, his first home run as a Yankee to give the team a lead and his first walk off hit as a Yankee in nine years, collecting four hits and three RBI altogether on the day. His fellow countryman Ichiro Suzuki also ignited the Yankees offense with four scorching hits and an RBI for his 50th four hit game.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Matsui outside the field when he used to frequent the restaurant I used to work at. For a man with as much fame and recognition internationally as Matsui, he was down to earth, polite and easy to approach. I recall giving him a stupid little sketch I drew at the time of him as Godzilla and making Nomo tremble on the mound having to face him, and he thanked me for it and shook my hand. You know I had the jitterbugs that night. I still have his signature on a sign board he gave me on my wall at home.
"I'd like to thank the Yankees organization, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me this opportunity," Matsui said through a translator. "I officially announced my retirement last year, but to be able to come back in this manner -- at the time, I never really imagined having this type of opportunity. To become a member of the Yankees and retire as a Yankee, I'm just so humbled and honored."
No, Matsui. Thank YOU for everything you have done for the city of New York and the sport of baseball. WE were humbled and honored to watch you perform in pinstripes and provide us with many memorable moments in the city that never sleeps.
