Kazuo matsui biography shortstop

He is a switch-hitter. In , his third season, he became a regular starter as a shortstop and finished the season second in stolen bases Prior to the season, he would change his number to 7. The season saw him reach a. Matsui would lead the Pacific League in stolen bases for two more consecutive seasons. He enjoyed success as a seven-time Best Nine award winner — One of his best years was , when he had a.

Although Matsui experienced winning the Pacific League Title a total of four times , , , , his team never won the Japanese Series.

Kazuo Matsui is a

With the Mets, Matsui hit home runs in his first plate appearance in each of the , , and seasons. According to the Elias Sports Bureau , he is the only Major League player to hit a home run in his first plate appearance of his first three seasons. The only other player to hit a home run in even his first at-bat of three consecutive seasons was Ken Griffey Jr.

In , Matsui homered on the first pitch from Russ Ortiz of the Atlanta Braves leading off the first inning, in , on the sixth pitch from Paul Wilson of the Cincinnati Reds with one out in the first inning, and in , on the fourth pitch from Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres with no outs in the top of the third. The third home run is notable for being an inside-the-park home run.

He slid into home as his former Met teammate Mike Piazza was blocking the plate. Matsui played games in the most games he has played so far in his MLB career.