Welcome to NY, Kazuo Matsui

If you want to win over the hearts of jaded sports journalists, disaffected Mets fans, and your average cynical New Yorker, take a note from playbook of the new Mets shortstop Kazuo Matsui, who met NY yesterday in a press conference. The Japanese baseball superstar instantly became a son of New York by uttering in English, "Hello everyone. My name is Kazuo Matsui. I love New York."

It also helps that he's ridiculously good–looking, seems like a nice family man (wife: Mio; 3 year–old daughter Haruna), and is going to try his "best to bring another [World Series ring] to the city for the New York Mets." He wore minority owner Saul Katz's 1986 ring, reportedly "enamoured" of it; relatedly, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King opens next Wednesday (buy tickets at Fandango). With Andy Pettite leaving the Yankees for Houston and Derek Jeter dangerously close to being a punchline, maybe it's time for a little Kaz.

NY Times: Mets Give Matsui His First Taste of the Bright Lights in the Big City
NY Post: Kaz Dazzles Apple from Get Go
NY Daily News: Kaz loves NY and it may soon be mutual
The Kaz Matsui file at NY Mets.

Dawn at Clarified has dubbed herself a Zazmaniac and invites you to join her.