★ M.A.R.A.★

A standing ovation & a warm homecoming for Matsui at Yankee Stadium

Tuesday, April 13, 2010, about 1pm - In case you missed it - Here’s the link to a short video of Hideki Matsui receiving his 2009 World Series ring along with the rest of the Yankees about 2 hours ago. (Video, the write up, the build up, and Yankee & New York pride got me all choked up).

After a few months’ slump and an injury in the 2009 season, Matsui’s top notch performance during the Series was the perfect culmination to his Yankee career.  Matsui was a dependable and consistent hitter and player.  Yankee captain, Derek Jeter said:

“I’m sure everyone’s heard me say it, but he’s been one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with,” Jeter said in anticipation of the event. “He’s professional, he comes out here every single day ready to play, he never makes excuses whether he’s not feeling good or he’s feeling great. He goes out there and he plays.

“One thing you remember is when he broke his wrist, he apologized to his team for breaking his wrist. I’d never seen that before. I think it’s only fitting that he’s here for Opening Day and I’m sure he’s going to get a well-deserved standing ovation.”

AP/Peter Morgan via ESPN

After hitting 6 of the 7 runs in the final game that won the Yanks the 2009 World Series, Matsui was named Most Valuable Player.  It was the perfect ending to his seven-year career as a Yankee.  The Yankee organization decided not to renew Matsui and Johnny Damon’s contracts for the 2010 season.  Damon is now with the Detroit Tigers. 

PS - Yanks signed pitcher Chan Ho Park (formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, whom the Yanks beat for the World Series win last season), Nick Johnson, and Curtis Granderson. 

Other Keywords: Hideki Matsui MVP, anaheim angels, new york yankees, derek jeter, world series rings, yankees opening day, home opener, famous asians, asian celebs, asian celebrities, asian athletes, yanks

Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Chan Ho park are free agents as of Monday, November 9

NEW YORK (AP)—World Series MVP Hideki Matsui became a free agent Monday along with New York Yankees teammate Johnny Damon and Phillies relief pitcher Chan Ho Park.  [See complete list of free agents as of Monday, November 9th.]

Matsui and Damon both said after the Yankees’ six-game victory over Philadelphia last week that they would like to stay with New York. The Yankees said it was too early to address how they want to formulate their team for 2010.

Johnny Damon-Yankee outfielder and 2nd in the line-up

[via]

Chan Ho Park-Relief Pitcher & 2-seam fast baller for the Philadelphia Phillies

[via]

Hideki Matsui-Yankee DH (in the Series, due to an injury), usually 5th in the line-up, left-handed batter, right-handed throw, outfielder

[via]


Keywords: Johnny Damon, Chan Ho Park, and Hideki Matsui are free agents as of Monday November 9, Yankees free agents, Yankee contract, Yankees contracts

Yankees on Letterman After the Win: Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, and Matsui

Members of the Yankees baseball team join David Letterman on The Late Show last night, Thursday, November 5th. 

Jeter, Pettite, Posada talk about the win, Jeter’s dating life, how long they have in baseball, and more…World Series MVP Hideki Matsui also walks on with trophy…

Can’t get enough? Scroll down or click for my fave (awesome) pics of the Yankees win and the Four Asian player face-off in the Series…

Yankees on Letterman Part 1

Yankees on Letterman Part 2


Yankees on Letterman Part 3



Related Posts: Awesome pics of the Yankees world series win, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, In Sports
Keywords: Yankees on Letterman, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, 2009 World Series MVP, Jeter on Minka Kelly, Andy on family
Videos via

2009 World Series: YANKEES WIN!!!!!!!

[via] Mariano Rivera holds the trophy, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher

November 4, 2009 - Yankees win over the Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium … and for driving 6 of the 7 RBI’s…

Hideki Matsui is the World Series MVP!
Asian ROCKS America indeed!!!!

[via] Matsui is the first Japanese-born player and official Designated Hitter in a World Series to ROCK this award! It’s an awesome culmination of the season for Matsui, considering his injuries and this year being the end of his $52MM, 4-year Yankee contract.  [via]


Why is this an awesome win for the Yankees? Because…
-After 16 years in pro baseball, Alex Rodriguez has never won a World Series
-It’s only Joe Girardi’s 2nd year as Yankee Manager
-Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui’s contracts are up
-Andy Pettitte came “home” to the Yankees from the Texas Rangers
-The Yankees have not been to the Series since 2003 
-They have not won since 2000
-The Yankees were the underdogs to last year’s champions

Other fave pics of the Yankees celebrating their win last night…

[via] Yankee Captain and Shortstop, Derek Jeter (Matsui at right #55)


[via] Teixeira and Swisher at top, Jeter (#2), Melky Cabrera at right end


[via]  Jorge Posada, Jeter, Mariano “Mo” Rivera


[via] AJ Burnett, Jorge Posada, Matsui, Jeter, Mo, Cano


[via] Jeter, A-Rod (#13), Teixeira


[via] Mo, Swisher, Posada


[via] Mariano Rivera and A-Rod


[via] Johnny Damon


[via] Teixeira, Rivera, Jose Molina


[via]  CC Sebathia, Gardner, Swisher, and A-Rod in the back, Matsui in front


[via] Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui


[via] HIdeki Matsui high fives with Derek Jeter


[via]  Andy Pettitte and Melky Cabrera


[via] Yankee Manager Joe Girardi raising the 2009 World Series trophy