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Matsui's best might be yet to come

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

Here's the scary thing about Hideki Matsui, as related by Half of Famer Reggie Jackson, who is no stranger to October prowess: "You don't have to be a genius," Jackson says, "to see he's going to get better."

Better? Matsui went 11-for-20 with two home runs, five doubles, a triple and a record-tying 10 RBIs in the first four games of the American League Championship Series. He also set a postseason record with eight extra-base hits in the first four games.

Can't get much better than that, but Jackson is on to something. Matsui, 30, raised his home run total from 16 to 31 and his on-base/slugging percentage from .788 to .912 in his second major league season after nine years in Japan. As he continues to learn pitchers, it's not unreasonable to expect further improvement.

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Yankees manager Joe Torre says Matsui always goes to the plate with a plan; he occasionally will look foolish when he takes the wrong approach but rarely is indecisive. Hitting coach Don Mattingly, too, marvels at Matsui's consistency, noting that his stance and swing rarely fluctuate. Mattingly has worked with Matsui to stay off his heels and be more on his toes, but that's about it.

"He doesn't change on you," Mattingly says. "He gives you the same at-bats all the time, whether there's men on base or not. That's what makes him a good RBI guy."

More than 60 percent of Matsui's at-bats this season were in the Nos. 6 and 7 spots, but he moved into the cleanup position in early September when Torre wanted Alex Rodriguez to hit second. As usual, Matsui was unfazed. He had a .390 on-base percentage before the All-Star break and a .390 OBP after.

Just think of how good he might be when he finally figures this league out.

Matsui's best might be yet to come

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

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