Spider-Man in Center, a Samurai at the Plate

Today is the birthday of Hideki Matsui, born in Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan, 1974.

A superstar in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and a World Series MVP with the New York Yankees, Hideki Matsui handled his success – and all that came with it – with quiet, self-denying humility throughout.

Shedding his ego was a childhood exercise for Matsui. His older brother and his friends, embarrassed by how good of a right-handed hitter Hideki was, demanded that he bat lefty or stop playing with them. Matsui obliged, going on to drive in 760 runs in his MLB career, primarily as a lefty designated hitter.

Nicknamed “Godzilla” due to his severe acne as a teenager, Matsui carried the name through his professional career, where it became a fitting moniker more so for his power at the plate.

His calm, emotionless persona drew massive praise during a 1992 high school tournament in Japan. A legendary hitter already, Matsui was intentionally walked five times in one game. Where he could have shown anger or at least exasperation, Godzilla showed nothing. One local sportswriter said, “He was just like a samurai, faithful to the code of Bushido.”

Hideki credited his restraint to a beating he’d taken years earlier when he threw a bat in anger in junior high: “It was a valuable lesson for me. From that day on, I resolved never to lose control of my emotions in a game again.”

Emotions of shame and guilt surfaced on what should have been one of the best days of his life, though. Following an exceptional 10-year career in Nippon Professional Baseball, in which Matsui was a nine-time All-Star and three-time league champion, he was offered a three-year, $21 million contract with the most iconic team in the United States: the New York Yankees. At a 2002 press conference at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, Matsui announced his decision to play in America between stutters and apologies. “I hope people don’t think I’m a traitor,” he said.

But Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called the move admirable, and Matsui stayed a hero in the eyes of his Japanese fans. He continued to put team ahead of self from the moment he joined the league, starting 518 consecutive games to start his career, an MLB record.

Godzilla became the first full-time designated hitter to win World Series MVP in 2009, where he went 8-for-13 with three home runs. Due to the National League not allowing DHs at the time, Matsui earned the award playing in just three of the series’ six games.

Clarke Defies Gravity, the Robots Are Coming, and the MLB’s New Youngest Player.

• Spider-Man — Oakland Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke is consistently  making some of the most impressive plays of the season (if not ever) in the outfield. On Monday night, he scaled the outfield wall to rob Nolan Schanuel of a 398 foot home run in Angels stadium.

• MLB Players Don’t Like the A’s — That’s the headline from The Athletic’s player poll. Other stand-outs include Bruce Bochy as the manager most would want to play for, Bud Black as the least, and the Dodgers as the team with the best reputation. See all of the results here.

• The Robo-Umps Cometh – Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters Wednesday that the league wants to start using the ABS (automatic ball-strike) system starting in 2026. The Player’s Associate is a little less convinced, but the commissioner can push the change through without their approval.

• One More – Andrew McCutchen hit his 325th home run, and his 241st with the Pirates on Wednesday, passing Roberto Clemente for the number 3 spot on the all-time Pirates list.

• Roman…Empire? – Roman Anthony was called up to the show this week, and recorded his first hit — an 2 RBI double — in his second game against Tampa Bay. Born May 13, 2004, Anthony is the youngest player in the MLB, has been regularly referred to as the game’s top prospect. Here’s a look at why he’s earned that title.

6/12/2025

Dock Ellis Throws No-Hitter on Acid

• 1970 — Pirate’s pitcher Dock Ellis throws a no-hitter agains the Padres after taking two tabs of LSD. His story, as told to Victory Journal, is a classic.