Hideki Matsui
From BR Bullpen
Hideki Matsui (Godzilla)
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.
- High School Seiryo High School
- NPB Debut May 1, 1993
- NPB Final Game October 11, 2002
- MLB Debut March 31, 2003
- Born June 12, 1974 in Neagari, Ishikawa, Japan
Biographical Information
Hideki Matsui played for the Yomiuri Giants for ten years. A huge power threat, he was expected to break Sadaharu Oh's NPB record 55 home runs and was given the uniform number 55, due to this. His highest total was 50 in 2002 in his final season in Japan. In 2003 he signed with the New York Yankees.
Matsui played in 1,768 consecutive games before fracturing his wrist while diving to catch a liner by Mark Loretta on May 12, 2006. He had played in 519 consecutive games to begin his MLB career, breaking the record previously held by Ernie Banks (424). Banks did it from 1953-1956 and played shortstop during the streak. Al Simmons of the Philadelphia Athletics held the American League record of 394, from 1924-1926, playing the outfield during the streak. Both Banks and Al Simmons are Hall of Famers.
On May 6, 2007, Matsui reached 2,000 career hits between MLB and NPB. This made him the 46th member of the meikyukai.
Notable Achievements
- 2-time AL All-Star (2003 & 2004)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (2004, 2005 & 2007)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (2004)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (2003-2005 & 2007)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 3 (2004, 2005 & 2007)
