Hideki Matsui Quotations

My knee isn't that bad. This has happened in the past.

My knee isn't that bad. It's actually improving.

My first and second at-bats, I pulled the ball with grounders to the right side. In that at-bat, I was looking to go with the pitch, for a pitch high in the zone I could hit to the outfield.

My decision was based on what's really most important. What do I prioritize? From that standpoint, this season and winning a championship was the most important thing. Especially this time of year, it's very important to prepare yourself.

I have decided not to join up with the national squad. . . . The reason I decided to go to the United States was to try and become a world champion with the Yankees, and I fear that chasing two goals might get in the way of that dream.

Certainly the fact that Joe was coming back to manage again for me was a big factor in my decision.

For me, personally, ... I'd like a little bit more time to prepare.

It felt pretty good. I didn't hit it on the barrel but I got a pretty good swing on it. I feel pretty happy in a situation like that, to be able to come through with a hit like that. And it essentially became the difference in the game.

The amount of a salary is very important, ... I think it's important for all professional athletes. We are evaluated by our own salaries.

You feel that something's not right, but it's hard to pinpoint it. You have to be really aware of every part of your swing.

Everything is fine. When I stepped on the bag, the way I hit it, I kind of lost my balance.

The Yankees had their reasons for not wanting me to play. Major League Baseball had its reasons for wanting me to play. But at the end of the day, what was important to me is to win a championship ring with the Yankees.

The situation hasn't changed at all. I'm still thinking it over. But I would like to let manager Sadaharu Oh know what I'll do as soon as he comes back from Taiwan.

An event like the baseball classic is very important for baseball. This time of year is a very important time to prepare for the season. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I have no regrets.

I took the pitch because I thought it was a ball.

It's getting better. I told Joe I could play. It's up to him.

It's something I've had before. It slightly swelled up, so I'm getting a little bit of treatment on that.

It's not an injury that goes away overnight. Little by little every day it's getting better. Everything is fine.

I know that it would be ideal to play for both club and country and I understand that Sadaharu Oh and the fans were hoping I would do that.

I'm satisfied with my decision and have been able to get my preparation here. I have no regrets.

I'm very happy to be able to come back, wear the pinstripes again and play in that uniform.

If popularity goes down, then it goes down. It can't be helped. It's beyond my control.

He's telling me to just relax, ... and swing the bat your own way.

He's my senior and I respect him. Knowing that and having to make that decision, it was very difficult.

I love New York. I love the Yankees. I love the fans here.

My first and foremost goal when I joined the Yankees was to win the world championship. Certainly, it's been a long road and very difficult journey. But I'm just happy that after all these years we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for.

What I try to do is don't have any ups and downs. I emphasize taking the same approach.

I'm a baseball player. Not being able to play baseball certainly was a lonely thing.

It's not like you can aim for a home run and hit a home run.

It's important to find a team where you can be comfortable. I know there are a lot of high expectatons.

I've been watching American baseball on television for a long time, but it was only in recent years that, realistically, I've been thinking about playing here.

I'm aware the fans in the U.S. can be less forgiving...I'll just have to do my best to please them.

The power of home run hitters in the majors is different from those here. It's probably difficult for me to match that power now.