Yankee 21
07-01-2003, 06:43 PM
Matsui named Player of the Week
Center fielder batted .500 and hit two homers
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- After a scorching-hot week in which he collected 14 RBIs in eight games, Hideki Matsui was named the American League's Pepsi Player of the Week.
Matsui batted .500 during the week, going 14-for-28 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Mets. The Yankees' center fielder tied for the league lead with 23 total bases, adding six runs, three doubles and two home runs to his weekly resume.
Hideki Matsui / OF
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210
Bats/Throws: L/R
More info:
Player page
Stats
The Yankees went 7-1 last week, taking three of four from the Devil Rays in St. Petersburg and sweeping four games from the Mets over the weekend.
"I'm very happy," said Matsui through his interpreter. "It's really a pleasure to be able to contribute to the team's wins."
This is the first Player of the Week award for Matsui, who was batting .304 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs entering Monday night's game.
"There's nothing like being able to win something like that," Matsui said of the honor. "It's a result of your daily work ethic. Maybe if I hit three home runs today, I can win Player of the Month."
In Saturday's day-night, two-park doubleheader against the Mets, Matsui began his day by slugging his second grand slam of the season and driving in a career-high five runs in a 7-1 Yankees win. In the nightcap, he went 4-for-4 in the Yanks' 9-8 win. Matsui reached base safely in his last nine plate appearances during the two games.
"Matsui is having one of those months that all hitters hope to have," said Yankees captain Derek Jeter. "He's been locked in for a while."
Japan's Central League, which Matsui called home for 10 years before joining the Yankees this winter, does not have a weekly award, but does award a Player of the Month. Matsui said that he earned that honor seven times in his 10 seasons playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
"I don't really focus on awards, I just give my best effort out there every day," Matsui said. "Winning something like that certainly adds to your confidence."
In addition to winning the weekly honor, Matsui also surged into second place in All-Star voting among AL outfielders. Matsui, who has a 170,000-vote lead on Boston's Manny Ramirez, is vying to become the Yankees' first rookie outfielder to start an All-Star Game since Joe DiMaggio in 1936.
"I think it would be great," said manager Joe Torre. "That would be wonderful, a hell of a feather in his cap. The All-Star experience is great. It's not three days off, but it's fun."
Center fielder batted .500 and hit two homers
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- After a scorching-hot week in which he collected 14 RBIs in eight games, Hideki Matsui was named the American League's Pepsi Player of the Week.
Matsui batted .500 during the week, going 14-for-28 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Mets. The Yankees' center fielder tied for the league lead with 23 total bases, adding six runs, three doubles and two home runs to his weekly resume.
Hideki Matsui / OF
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210
Bats/Throws: L/R
More info:
Player page
Stats
The Yankees went 7-1 last week, taking three of four from the Devil Rays in St. Petersburg and sweeping four games from the Mets over the weekend.
"I'm very happy," said Matsui through his interpreter. "It's really a pleasure to be able to contribute to the team's wins."
This is the first Player of the Week award for Matsui, who was batting .304 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs entering Monday night's game.
"There's nothing like being able to win something like that," Matsui said of the honor. "It's a result of your daily work ethic. Maybe if I hit three home runs today, I can win Player of the Month."
In Saturday's day-night, two-park doubleheader against the Mets, Matsui began his day by slugging his second grand slam of the season and driving in a career-high five runs in a 7-1 Yankees win. In the nightcap, he went 4-for-4 in the Yanks' 9-8 win. Matsui reached base safely in his last nine plate appearances during the two games.
"Matsui is having one of those months that all hitters hope to have," said Yankees captain Derek Jeter. "He's been locked in for a while."
Japan's Central League, which Matsui called home for 10 years before joining the Yankees this winter, does not have a weekly award, but does award a Player of the Month. Matsui said that he earned that honor seven times in his 10 seasons playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
"I don't really focus on awards, I just give my best effort out there every day," Matsui said. "Winning something like that certainly adds to your confidence."
In addition to winning the weekly honor, Matsui also surged into second place in All-Star voting among AL outfielders. Matsui, who has a 170,000-vote lead on Boston's Manny Ramirez, is vying to become the Yankees' first rookie outfielder to start an All-Star Game since Joe DiMaggio in 1936.
"I think it would be great," said manager Joe Torre. "That would be wonderful, a hell of a feather in his cap. The All-Star experience is great. It's not three days off, but it's fun."