NEW YORK – Hideki Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to be named World Series Most Valuable Player after hitting a record six RBIs in the deciding game Wednesday.
“It’s awesome,” Matsui said through a translator. “Unbelievable. I’m surprised myself.”
Matsui homered, doubled and singled in Game 6, highlighting a Series in which he hit .615 with three home runs and eight RBIs.
Standing on a podium in shallow center field, Matsui waved his new championship hat and shook hands with Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig. Matsui won three titles in Japan and was eager to celebrate his first in the Bronx.
“I guess it’s hard to make a comparison. When I was in Japan, that was the ultimate goal. Being here, winning the World Series, becoming world champions, that’s what you strive for here,” he said.
“You could say that I guess this is the best moment of my life right now. It’s been a long road and very difficult journey.”
His two-run drive off Pedro Martinez in the second inning put the Yankees ahead for good. Nicknamed “Godzilla” back home, Matsui sent a shot to right field that banged off an advertisement on the facing of the second deck - fittingly, it was a sign for the Japanese company Komatsu, which makes mining and construction equipment. (AP)