In the dugout, Torre said...

[Steve Bildermann]

"Wouldn't this be something if he hits a home run here?"

Over and over, Hideki Matsui kept saying this was just another night. But, of course, it wasn't. It was his first game back in Japan since leaving after the 2002 season. And when he deposited a hanging curveball into the right-center field seats in the second inning Sunday, the enormously popular player they call Godzilla couldn't reign in his emotions. He cracked a wide smile after he crossed the plate and returned to the New York Yankees (news)' dugout.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20040328/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bbo_matsui_returns

FYI - the pitcher was Hisanori Takahashi, who used to be a junior teammate of Matsui during the 2001 season. It was said he learned a lot from Matsui at that time.

2001 Yomiuri Giants Roster

How nice for Matsui.

[GuyJean]

FYI - the pitcher was Hisanori Takahashi, who used to be a junior teammate of Matsui during the 2001 season.

He gave Matsui a slow, meat pitch..

Saw that comin'..

GJ

[Captain Japan]

FYI - the pitcher was Hisanori Takahashi, who used to be a junior teammate of Matsui during the 2001 season.

He gave Matsui a slow, meat pitch..

Saw that comin'..

GJ

Talk about grooving one: it was a 60mph change-up.

[mr. sparkle]

FYI - the pitcher was Hisanori Takahashi, who used to be a junior teammate of Matsui during the 2001 season.

He gave Matsui a slow, meat pitch..

Saw that comin'..

GJ

Talk about grooving one: it was a 60mph change-up.

That just made the news over here guys! Matsui ROCKS. But is it cool if I still hate the Yankees? Buncha FREAKS.

I heard the Hanshin Tigers beat up on the boys though!

As Rob Pongi says, "GOOOOOOO TIGERS! pon pon--pon pon--pon pon!"

[GuyJean]

I heard the Hanshin Tigers beat up on the boys though!

Really? Didn't see today's game, if there was one, but yesterday's was a 7 - 7 tie..

Yeah.. In Japan, baseball can end in a tie.. I think it has something to do with the last train...

I thought Japan was good at importing, then improving.. Not making LAME-ing!

GJ