Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki, born June 12, 1974) 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 a 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.
Just completed his first season as a member of the New York Yankees. [October 2003]
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Nicknamed "Shemp" by his Yankees teammates because of his similar hair style to Shemp Howard of The Three Stooges.
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Announced in a press release that he eloped, identifying his bride only as "a 25 year old civilian" from Japan; Matsui has yet to reveal her name. Speculation is that he married to win a bet he made with Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu as to which one would get married first. (26 March 2008).
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All-time favourite is The Natural (1984)
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Named to Baseball Digest magazine's 2003 Rookie All-Star Team.
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Made major league debut on 31 March 2003.
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Outfielder with the New York Yankees, 2003-present.
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Outfielder (#55) of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team in Japan.
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Is nicknamed "Godzilla" because of his power-hitting. At the Tokyo Dome gift shop, there is merchandise (T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.) of Godzilla in a Giants baseball shirt (with # 55, Matsui's number). Matsui is also a Godzilla fan, and at the baseball games, Akira Ifukube's famous "Godzilla" theme is played when Matsui steps up to bat.
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Hit 60 home runs as a high school student.
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Graduated from Seiryô High School.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sawako no asa
2014
TV Series
Himself
Henry & Me
2014
Himself (voice)
MLB.com Presents Japan Confidential
2012
TV Series
Himself
Jônetsu tairiku
2011
TV Series documentary
Himself
Unite for Japan
2011
Short
Himself
Sunday Night Baseball
2003-2010
TV Series
Himself - New York Yankees Left Fielder / Himself - New York Yankees Designated Hitter / Himself - New York Yankees Pinch Hitter / ...
New York Yankees Victory Parade
2009
TV Movie
Himself
Late Show with David Letterman
2009
TV Series
Himself
TalkAsia
2007
TV Series
Himself
Nikkei supesharu kanburia kyûden
2007
TV Series
Himself
History Rings True: Red Sox Opening Day Ring Ceremony
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Boston Red Sox
2004
Video documentary
Himself - Yankees Left Fielder
2004 American League Championship Series
2004
TV Series
Himself - New York Yankees Left Fielder
2004 MLB All-Star Game
2004
TV Special
Himself - AL Left Fielder: New York Yankees
2003 American League Championship Series
2003
TV Series
Himself - New York Yankees Left Fielder
2003 MLB All-Star Game
2003
TV Special
Himself - AL Starting Center Fielder: New York Yankees
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
2002
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Knuckleball!
2012
Documentary
Himself - Oakland Athletics Designated Hitter (uncredited)
30 for 30
2010
TV Series documentary
Himself
J-Spo
2009
TV Series
Himself
2004 World Series
2004
TV Mini-Series
Himself
Known for movies
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (2002) as Himself
Unite for Japan (2011) as Himself
Sunday Night Baseball (2003-2010) as Himself - New York Yankees Left Fielder / Himself