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10/13/2003 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball News: Little Matsui Deciding Between Dodgers or Yankees"
Mariners Fans Disappointed Again
According to Sports Nippon, Seibu Lions switch hitting shortstop Kazuo Matsui has already winnowed several MLB ballclubs out and is now reported to be deciding solely between the Yankees and Dodgers. His wife, Mio, has given the okay for him to go to either club.
The report said the factors that went into this decision are these:
Los Angeles: Has a large Japanese community and he has several acquaintances who live there. The team is on the West Coast and the shortstop job is open.
New York: Their popularity was apparently the biggest factor here, even though he will be moved to second (unless Derek Jeter can be convinced to be moved to third) with the Yankees. He definitely wanted to play before lots of people every night and the Yanks have the largest media presence in the big leagues. Note that this will also be harder on him psychologically, since he usually starts slow (often hits below the Mendoza Line his first month before catching fire). And we all know how impatient Yankees fans react to that.
This news will anger Mariner fans, who are still even now still chafing at their favorite nine not making the playoffs thanks to now departed GM Pat Gillick's inability to find a good deal within the tight monetary guidlines prescribed by Howard Lincoln and other club execs. There had been an expectation that Matsui, since he has expressed positive opinions about the M's, was pretty much in the bag, so this will prove to be cold water on that to say the least.
Replies: 2 comments
Sports Nippon is a sports tabloid, but a reputable one. I don't quote from less reliable outlets such as Yukan Fuji or Tokyo Sports.
Posted by Gary Garland @ 10/14/2003 01:06 PM EST
Isn't Sports Nippon a tabloid? Both NY and LA make sense, but I'd take the story with a grain of salt considering the source.
Posted by Skeptic @ 10/14/2003 12:23 AM EST
