Before 2001, there were questions whether a Japanese position player could cut it in the major leagues.
Ichiro Suzuki won both the Rookie Of The Year and Most Valuable Player Awards that year, quieting critics with his blazing speed, cannon outfield arm and masterful hitting. The only thing Ichiro lacked was power.
Hideki Matsui proved that Japanese players can come over to the States and slug with the best of them. Perhaps Japan's strongest power hitter since Sadaharu Oh, Matsui won the MVP in 2002, his third time doing so, and just barely missed winning the Triple Crown.
As left fielder for the New York Yankees, Matsui proved to be one of the most reliable, consistent and professional players in the game. Every at bat Godzilla puts in is a tough out, and the man knows how to hit. In 2004, after a year of adjustment, that monsterous power emerged as well.
Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. The Red Sox indeed are interested in Burnett, according to major-league sources.
Publ.Date : Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:58:00 GMTImagine A.J. Burnett in the Red Sox's rotation. Scary. Ken Rosenthal has learned the interest is there to possibly make it happen.
Publ.Date : Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:58:21 GMTal notes
Publ.Date : Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:48:40 GMTJust as they prepared to splurge on some potentially big buys during the free agency period, the Yankees made a trade that showed they're going to try to put an old formula to work along with their checkbook.
Publ.Date : Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:49:17 GMTThe American League's most valuable player will be announced this afternoon. Never is there more disagreement and controversy surrounding an award in major pro sports than annually in baseball with MVP.
Publ.Date : Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:35:13 GMT
Full Hideki Matsui News
Hideki Matsui earned the nickname Godzilla in Japan because of his powerful bat.
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