Big day for Matsui?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 05, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Hideki Matsui needs one more hit to reach 2,000 in his career with the Yomiuri Giants and Yankees. This would grant him membership in Meikyukai, “the association of great players.”
A player has to reach 2,000 hits, 200 wins or 250 saves to be invited.
The club was created by legendary pitcher Masaichi Kaneda in 1978 and he remains the chief executive. The Meikyukai mostly makes appearances in charity and volunteer events, and holds annual meetings.
Read more about the Meikyukai here. My Japanese friends tell me it’s pronounced “May Q Kai.”
Kaneda himself will be at Yankee Stadium tomorrow to present Matsui with a special jacket.
This is a very big deal for Matsui and the fans in Japan. Hopefully he gets a hit soon and can enjoy having Mr. Kaneda here to watch him.
if anyone deserves it he does. what a classic player and a true warrior. when i saw him injure his wrist i along with thousands felt for him its great to see him rise to greatness
I hope Matsui gets it today, congrats to him. Nice to seem something positive about the Yankees these days.
How cool is that. Thanks for the heads up Pete
Hey Pete, just as a helpful piece of advice, pronouncing Japanese names are easy because vowels are always pronounced the same way.
a = ah as in “rod”
e = eh as in “egg”
i = ee as in “key”
o = oh as in “no”
u = oo as in “boo”
And that’s pretty much all you need to know, no Japanese proficiency needed. I really wish more sportscasters were aware of this, because it’s annoying to constantly hear them butcher Japanese player names.
Jordan –
I’d heard Orestes Destrade on XM say the same thing. He played in Japan and said because he is Spanish-speaking it was fairly easy for him to speak Japanese since the vowel pronunciations were the same.
Pete, I’m a little surprised that his stats in American baseball count towards this honor.
It will be interesting to see how the Hall of Fame treats players like him and Ichiro, though I suspect Ichiro will accumulate enough stats here in America for there to be no question.
Does Japan have a Hall of Fame? These numbers make me think of Hall numbers in America, which are generally associated with 3000 hits, 300 wins, 500 homers and what not. 2000 isnt really that big of a deal here (it is, but you don’t honor those players). And 200 wins means you’re a good pitcher, but they don’t usually get anything special either. There’s also not really a mark for saves in America.
For all the bonehead signings the Yanks have made over the past number of years, Matsui stands out as such a gem.
On a completely unrelated topic: How has Villone been looking in AAA?
Pete, I found it interesting to note via your link that while Meikyukai recognizes the American accomplishments of the Japanese players who come here, they do not do the reverese — honor American players who play in Japan and reach those same plateaus in Japanese baseball.
I wonder if it would change with the induction of a Japanese player into the American HOF.
Plus, Meikyukai seems more to be a type of gentlemen’s club than a true Hall of Fame, since Japan does have a true Hall of Fame.
Villone’s ERA is 2.00 at AAA, as of Thursday night.
Why have Villone in the Bronx when you have Kei Igawa and Colter Bean holding down the fort?
Sometimes, you wonder if anybody in the front office has any clue anymore.
they just said on fox pavano’s getting tj surgery out 12 months the least there goes the idea of him coming back
Ahahahahaha. Carl Pavano needs TJ surgery.
Wow. This guy is so pathetic that it’s just funny.
I can’t believe there isn’t a clause in his contract that if he only makes about 10 starts in the matter of his contract, 3 seasons, that the Yankees get their moeny back.
Hasn’t Pavano been checked and rechecked countless times? Have they been missing serious problems in his arm? This is unbelievable.
For bruising his butt he is pathetic but not for needing a very legit elbow surgery. Whats pathetic is Cashman putting any eggs in the Pavano basket this past offseason thats another bad job with the pitching staff. This effectivly ends his Yankee career he wil taek the full 18 months rehab I’m sure.
Pavano is the worst pitching acquisition since Brit Burns!
Pete: Not that it matters now, but do you have any idea what kind of deals other GMs were offering Cashman in a trade for Pavano back in late Spring Training / early season?
Tommy John for Pavano?!?!?!? He is a joke.
Not a bad idea. I’d trade Pavano for Tommy John about now.
Pete, with the Whitesox offense being virtually non existant, is there a way we make a trade for one of their starting pitchers? Some rumors say they are on the verge of a firesale and I’d rather have one of their guys over Jon Lieber 3 years later or some other scrub.
lol
don’t worry folks. cashman is 100% in charge.
/Paul Byrd a month from now
doreen… hideki isnt that old he has plenty of time
Does any one know who replaced Colter Bean?
Peter mentioned Bean was leaving.
Abreu is really getting on my nerves.
Hi Pete -
In all the years Matsui has been here, I’ve not heard him speak any English – has he learned any?
lets see if hideki can get that hit he comes up third this inning
BBFan – Does any one know who replaced Colter Bean?
Peter mentioned Bean was leaving.
-
Darrell Rasner I think.
Darrell Rasner will pitch tomorrow. So, I doubt if they will activate him before that. They could use a reliever today if needed.
Ok, everyone. Just having some fun here. Gallows humor. Surprisingly, I didn’t need to change many of the original lyrics. A big shout out to Freddie Mercury, who is doing about the same for our staring rotation as our dear sweet Carl.
Feel free to add, change, etc.
Pavanonian Rhapsody
Is this the real Carl
Is this just fantasy
Caught in a career-slide
No escape from surgery
Open your eyes
Look at my salary and see
I ain’t no poor boy, but I need sympathy
Because I never come, I always go
Never high, always low
Anyway, this team blows, it doesn’t really matter
To me
Joey, just hurt my arm
Tried to pitch it off a mound
It hurts so bad, heard a pop sound
Joey, my season had just begun
Now it seems I’ve thrown it all away
Joey!!! Ooooh oooh eee oooh
Didn’t mean to make you cry
If I’m not back again this time next season,
It’s Tommy John, so carry on, as if nothing really matters
Too late, Hughes’ time has come
I’m busy riding pine, body’s aching all the time
Goodbye everybody, I’ve got to go
Gotta leave it all behind and face the knife
Joey, oooo (any way the team goes)
I don’t wanna pitch
Sometimes I wish I’d never been signed at all
I see a little silhouetto of a man,
Papelbon,Papelbon will you do the Pavano-
Cramps, bruises, muscle aches-will you eat my coffee cake, please?
Ruben Mateo, Ruben Mateo,
Ruben Mateo, Ruben Mateo
Ruben Mateo, Julio Lugo-Luccino-
But I’m not a poor boy and nobody loves me-
He’s not a poor boy from the Yankee family-
Spare us his arm from this monstrosity-
Never come, always go-,will you let me go-
The Boss says! no-,we will not let you go-let him go-
The Boss says! no-we will not let you go-let him go
The Boss says! no-we will not let you go-let me go
Will not let you go-let me go
Will not let you go let me go
No,no,no,no,no,no,no-
Mo Rivera,Mo Rivera, Mo Rivera let me go-
Pete Abraham has a nickname put aside for me,for me,for me-
Joe, you think you can stone me and spit in my eye-
Joe, you think you can love me and leave me to die-
Oh Bruney-cant do this to me Bruney-
Just gotta get one out-just gotta get one right outta here-
Nothing really matters,
Anyone can see,
Nothing really matters-,nothing really matters to me,
Any way, this team blows….
^ maybe I’m easily amused, but that was hilarious….
Pete, I think you should post early and call a HR for Matsui… that’d be a sweet way to seal the deal
Damn it. Now I can’t get that song out of my head. Impressive job, though.
If the Yankees waste a good performance by Wang, after scoring 11 yesterday and losing, the season will have reached another low point.
hhaha Papelbon will you do the Pavano made me laugh for awhile.
Charlie, especially against Weaver, but I doubt that happens. Wang 31 pitches through 3….It is fun watching this guy pitch.
wow nice playoff by melk lol he completly missed the bag
HAHA great song!!
Great! The bases are loaded for Abreu. Go!
Melky Cabrera continues to be absolutely DREADFUL on the base paths. My god.
He was pushed off the bag. Legal move, but tough break on Melky.
Why in the world would he try to take third? That was a little league play.
Incredibly frustrating. Not to mention another ofer for Abreu so far.
Bowa needs to take melky out back and beat him with a stick until melky learns how to run bases.
He also missed 1st base entirely and shouldn’t have been safe in the first place. The guy needs SERIOUS work.
Jeter’s bunt should NOT be a hit. At best, a fielder’s choice, but, realistically, an error.
Abreu hit into 2nd double play of the day. 2 for 2. An adjustment is required for Yankees to stop further damage.
This Yankees offense absolutely stinks today so far.
And what is with FOX showing the steroid users at bats? It’s not even like he hit, he was walked intentionally, and since the first pitch they had the game on. FOX is absolutely pathetic.
There is a reason the Philly fans weren’t sad to see Abreu go. He’s an awfully weak number 3 hitter.
It’s looking more and more likely that this is just a bad baseball team. They lose games every which way imaginable.
What happened to Melky and Cano this offseason? They don’t look like the same guys. Far less energy. They both have been looking good in the field, but they don’t seem the same at the plate. Maybe they need to hang out with someone other than each other more often.
I like the idea of Kevin Thompson coming up and getting some at bats. Melky did great last year, but more like an Aaron Small, greatness 1 year, bottom of the barrel the next.
Abreu had 3 hits yesterday, did you guys forget? That DP should have been a sac fly and an RBI, not Abreu’s fault. You try touching first when 6’4″ weaver is on ur back and Broussard is diving into you.
“This is a bad team”
Yeah, saying that on a day where they lead and their ace is looking like an ace is completely appropriate.
I’m poor. no tv. how hard’s Wang throwing?
Just reading these posts, you would think the Yankees are losing. After yesterdays debacle, it’s refreshing to see Wang back and pitching well. He needs to get his 1st win of the year today.
Pitching is the key and Wang is our best pitcher. Let’s be happy he’s healthy after the Boston start and the nail problems.
Wang has 47 pitches, no hits and 3 K through 4. Does his speed really mattter? The sinker is working, 6 groundouts thus far.
Wang’s perfect through 4!!
something special brewing today…
How does Posada strike out looking> Thats not like him.
man, this weaver’s good! another one of those Yankee Killers. I’m surprised the sox miss him.
Somebody needs to have his own empty corner in the dugout…
what about WANG!
no no through 5
Nice jinx Dean.
BTW take note that good things happen when Kay isn’t in the booth more times than not.
they seem to be more closed off about the pavano thing now they didnt say anything about the surgery and niether did joe hmmm pete you have any information on this?
Wang is better than dice-k, if you need proof, here it is. Against this same line-up, Dice-K got his head headed back to him.
There is more to this start than no hits so far…But come on guys its only the bottom of the 5th.
Wang is clearly the best Asian starter in MLB. BTW, Dice-K costs roughly 200 times Wang’s salary.
Weaver coming into the game with ERA 18+ pitches like CY Young facing Yankees’ line-up.
Dint:
It’s hard NOT to be excited given all that BS pitching against bosox, d-rays, yesterday.
I hope Hughes heals up soon, then we have arguably the best homegrown top of the rotation. Best homegrown starters for the Yankees, of all teams.
I’m excited, but I mean, my point was don’t expect it yet.
Now, it gets interesting, Wang is at 77 pitches. If he is at say, 110 after 8, what do you do? It is such a fine line for Torre. You absolutely cannot risk injury and this is only Wang’s third start, but a game with an ending that this can have can get a team going for the rest of the year. Do you go to Mo in the 9th?
man fox is really throwing alot of jinxes wangs way zooming in and out at the scoerboard and posting the last no no stats at the stadium i mean common and it was the 5th that they started all this crap
I just asked this in another post, but why does Torre insist on batting Melky Cabrera, who hasn’t shown anything with the bat going back as far as August last year, leadoff when Damon is out. Jeter has always hit well at leadoff, and Cano is practically ideal for the #2 slot. Why in God’s name would you bat Cano as low as 8th yet feel the need to hit Cabrera leadoff? It defies all logic.
1-0 it’s as close as it gets,
where are some run supports for our ACE
The center of the lineup coming up !
here they come Dean.
Cano isn’t exactly ripping the cover off the ball and Melky has looked better of late.
never mind, Weaver will give up 5 at least,
he is as much a bust signing to Mariners as Pavano to us
Pete – In all the years he’s been here, has Matsui ever spoken to the writers/reporters in English after a game?
Except a 5 start bust and not a four year one…
At least Weaver’s pitching and eating up innings. It is IMPOSSIBLE for there to be a bigger bust than Pavano. How many years did Weaver get?
There’s no way he got 4 for $40 million…at least I hope not.
I was under the impression weaver had a 1-2 year deal
It was only a matter of time until we got to Weaver.
It was a 1-year $8 mill plus deal. Same salary as the year before with St. Louis
In these dark and despondent days, any game without a Yankee injury is a victory aplenty.
WANG!
How is Wang holding up after the long half-inning?
If this keeps up, I am running to the local bar to watch…
Looks like there could be a sudden spike in book sales Pete!!
21 up, 21 down.
Magic.
You know Pete hasn’t made another post because he doesn’t want to be accused of jinxing it.
I seriously stopped breathing from 3-0 to strike 3. Then I had to get my inhaler. Wang at 91 pitches. I think with a 6-0 lead and him being a sinkerballer he comes out for the ninth if this thing continues through eight.
Wow. That was close. Ichiro led off with a very-well hit fly out. And the 3-0 count that Wang worked into a strike out was clutch. Kris– get to the bar now! The stadium is hanging on every pitch, I think they’ll be standing from here on out.
6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1
That’s Hot!!
YEAH!!!
Peter if your reading this I hope you resist making a blog post about “YOU KNOW WHAT”.
Wait and let it happen.
I’ll say it again, theres a reason Michael Kay is not in the booth!
the Mike Mussina curse will start to kick in during the last 6 batters.
Amazing Wanger…
there’s a josh phelps sighting
Dint: “I think with a 6-0 lead and him being a sinkerballer he comes out for the ninth if this thing continues…”
Ya think?
It will be the feel good story about Yankees this year !
GO WANG!
Farnsworth warming up in the pen
Wang is on Time’s most influential list~
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/ne.....108830.htm
“Farnsworth warming up in the pen”?
Fox is showing the Angels game in LA. I hope they cut into it for more than a “game break” to show the 8th and 9th.
I’m assuming Farnsworth only comes in after a walk or a hit… Right?
Wang – best Asian starter in the US.
Wang – best Asian pitcher period.
it is 613AM in Taiwan in case anybody was interested.
Dean, good point, I had posted that on http://www.soxandpinstripes.com when it came out, it’s awesome isn’t it?
Come on, Robby. Show them your stuff!!!
Is that the same Mariners line-up getting 20 hits and scoring 15 runs yesterday? Yankees got great pitching performance from Wang today.
One down, five to go!!!
Gotta hand it to them, the Yankees find crazy ways to have it broken.
Darn!!!
Is that the same Mariners line-up getting 20 hits and scoring 15 runs yesterday?
This is the same Mariners line-up lighting up Dice-K, the once-in-a-lifetime phenom Tom Verducci can’t stop gushing about.
I haven’t been this nervous since my mid day pregnancy test
I blame FOX for that home run. They were hoping for something besides the red sox to talk about.
well its ok still a hell of an out ing for wang chipped fingernail and all
It is a great game pitched by Wong.
Saved the bull pen.
Kyle will probably pitch 9th inning.
No! No!
fox is yucking up.
Great outing by a true ace. I hope Phil Hughes will turn out at least like Wang, hopefully better…
Right after FOX showed Cones & Wells… DAMN!
I’ll take 8 inning of 2 hit, 1 run ball out of our starters any day of the week. Way to go Wanger
Well, Broussard has just become Taiwan’s national enemy now.haha
Absolute a great outing for our ACE!!!
Wang’s thrown 103 pitches in just his 2nd start of the year
Just a fantastic job
Melky IS heating up – another single
Wasn’t Bruney up in the pen, and not Farnsworth?
You’re yucking up, Paris. You’re yucking up. Lame.
Only Wang’s first DP, what’s wrong with him?
All kidding aside, great performance, chances are we need the bullpen for the next few days… I had to try so hard to explain the concept of a perfect game to a few European friends here…
Guys: Chill, Wang is young. He will have a LONG way to go before he is done, God willing. Don’t sound like it’s his last shot at glory…
Today should tell us all not to despair with the current record of Yanks.
It is only a matter of time before the team plays to its strength.
The good thing is when Hughes comes back we will have a great 1,2 punch with Hughes and Wang. They will be followed by crafty veterans Andy and Mike.
Things are finally looking good.
Boston, watch out! Just like in the past enjoy while you are ahead of us. Here come the Yanks and we will win the division.
Arod going deep in this inning.
It was his third start of the year.
Great pitching, great defense, great offense. Wish every game could be like this!
:)
Abreu needs some serious work on his confidence. The ultra confident on base guy is nowhere to be seen.
I am just thankful for ANY game that goes like this… given the recent BS. I hope A-Rod is not hurt.
Abreu has a .340 OBP. Obviously, not nearly good enough for Bobby, but not absolutely terrible. He’s slowly getting out of the inning.
I’m on gameday because they’re showing the white sox game here in chicago – what happened to a-rod?
Josh Phelps really looks good at the plate.
It would be nice if they use him as a back up catcher.
They should take chance for a game and see how he does.
If he is not doing well, they can always bring Nieves in.
We need not worry about Bobby.
He is in a mini-slump and will get out it.
By the end of the year, he will have his usual .400 OBP
well, hope Kaneda has tix to tomorrows game. DL, Cairo came in for him. He was hit earlier in the game on the arm but I don’t think its serious. He came out to play defense right after since The Wanger was still working on the perfect game, but after that was blown I think Joe wanted to rest him.
Here goes Joe the genius.
Why does he waste Bruney today with 7 run lead?
Why can’t he use some one else who is an extra in the bull pen?
I forgot he is clueless, that is why he does it.
BBFan, I agree. I wasn’t sold on Phelps yet, but he really does look okay at the plate with the way Minky and Nieves (ugh) bat. At least it looks like Minky’s starting to wake up now.
Thank Khoa Le!
Hey BB, at least Bruney can’t lose this one for us…well…maybe.
I believe BBFan is the first to bash a Torre in game decision today. He gets the “whine and moan” award. Congratulations!
Hey BB, who do you want him to pitch? Myers, Henn, Bean, Viz, pitched last night. That leaves Fans, Proctor and Mo, in addition to Bruney.
Don’t become a “push button” manager basher.
Searay,
I have no problem with your sarcasm.
Just think about it.
This decision is conistent with what Joe has been doing throughout the season and burning out the bullpen.
We need all the help tomorrow and day after with Rasner and DE Salvo going.
Bruney has thrown 10 pitches since the 29th of April. Yeah Joe, don’t run him out there for an inning of work.
Cobain they need something to whine about.
I think he is going to complain on why Torre did not remove wang after 7!!!!
they have nothing to do except complain. Your response is correct, who the hell can they put in????
You could waste Bean with a seven run lead.
Hey, it’s not sarcasm. I believe the biggest whiner and moaner about Torre should get some recognition. It’s not that we get to hear it thread after thread after thread. (oh, I guess that was a little sarcastic) Btw….who do you pitch in the 9th?
Exactly, Bruney has been RESTED don’t let the appearances fool you. With Pettitte Mussina and Wang in the rotation, these guys actually have been fairly rested lately.
According to Pete’s earlier reports, he’s a has-Bean now. Colter was seen leaving the Bronx. I suspect he’s been sent back to Scranton… OR he’s been DFA’ed to make room on the 40 man roster for DeSalvo
BB-
Until Bean walks the park allows a run or two and Joe has to get up Proctor or Farns, and you whine about that…
Nothing wrong with using Bruney there.
Still, Joe is clueless.
Let us wait until he does something creative and wins something….
Phelps is a pretty decent hitter, and since he used to be a catcher, I think it would a pretty good idea to give him the role of backup catcher. What do you guys think?
Anddddddd there goes your credibility. Empty insults based on nothing.
Yeah run Bean out there, LOL. That would have been a hoot! Someone besides Torre is clueless.
Phelps is our emergency catcher. I’d rather see him take over 1B fulltime and get rid of Minky. A fifth outfielder with basestealing speed (Thompson) would be a much better fit on our roster.
Phelps is too good a hitter to spend 70% of his time on the bench.
Ok folks.
I will not write any thing about Joe – both negative and positive – for the next one week, irrespective of how frustrated I will be with his bonehead moves.
I don’t think that’s an issue. You might want to rehab your credibility a bit before giving any more opinions, though.
Jimmy,
My answer to you is go to hell.
I sincerely believed that Bruney should not be brought in today and I expressed that. What the hell is wrong with that? Every one has the right to express their opinion. That is what every one does here, including you. If you do not like it, ignore it.
Some on the board felt that I went overboard with my criticism of Joe and I respected that and said I will not criticise Joe. If you do not understand what it means, just keep quiet.
I thought Jorgie and Wang made a horrible pitch selection. Why he threw a changeup is a question mark. If he was gonna lose the no-no, lose it on his sinker, not his 3rd pitch.
Kim,
Phelps is too good looking to go behind the plate
As a catcher, he’ll be hit in the face with more balls than Paris Hilton.
We don’t want to waste his kisser.