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The dumbest streak in recent history is now finished, but not in the way the Yankees wanted. Hideki Matsui broke his wrist while diving to make a catch in the first inning of the Yankees’ 5-3 loss last night. Matsui will need surgery and will probably miss at least three months of the season.
For the past three seasons the Yankees bent over backwards to put Matsui in the lineup even when it was clear he needed a day off. During his major league career, Matsui has hit 17 points higher before the All-Star break than he has after it. Yet, neither Matsui nor Torre would ever admit that he could use a break. Like Cal Ripken Jr., Matsui seemed determined to put the streak above the team. Why don’t baseball players admit that it is better to be rested than to try and play in every game?
Now, the choice is no longer Matsui’s. The Yankees will have to see if Melky Cabrera can handle the big leagues on a daily basis and will hope that Gary Sheffield is ready to come back in a week. If Cabrera isn’t ready or Sheffield needs more time, then Brian Cashman will have to see if he can work a trade.
Photo by AP/FRANK FRANKLIN II
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That's a little harsh, don't you think? I'll admit Matsui could have used a day off here and there, but did you ever think it had less to do with selfishness than with trying to earn the vast salary he's getting? Matsui played these games because in Japan stars are expected to be there every... damn... day.
Considering Matsui plays balls-out every time he takes the field and conducts himself with class on and off it, I think your criticism is a little off the mark.
Did you see the play? When he got up and his wrist was just dangling there, freakin' nasty.
that's dumb, trinkle. matsui not getting the occasional day off didn't lead to the broken wrist.
Did you know Matsui travels with a large suitcase of porn...its true
I think "the streak" argument is a non-issue here because it's still very early on in the season and it was an accident that could have come any time on the feild.
If that wrist doesn't heal well and quickly, gojira is getting pretty long in the tooth and we may be seeing the beginning of his demise as an outstanding player.
hara-kiri
n : ritual suicide by self-disembowelment on a sword; practiced by warriors in the traditional Japanese society [syn: harakiri, harikari]
stephen - how do you know that? Are you the supplier?
For those readers who are not a walking Macmillan's, the streak Peter fails to explain is a record 518 games to start a MLB career, and 1,768 if you include - this apprently is the "dumbest" part - his last 1,250 games in Japan.
Tim- I think the huge salary meant he should have taken a day off from time to time for the good of the team. He always plays hard and that takes something out of you, that's why a day off would have helped.
No- I am not saying the streak led to the broken wrist. That was a freak accident.
Jo- Sorry for not being clear.
sep·pu·ku P Pronunciation Key (sp-k, s-p-)
n.Ritual suicide by disembowelment formerly practiced by Japanese samurai. Also called hara-kiri.
J: It wasn't funny the first time. Or the second.
Peter: It's a fair point, and don't get me wrong, I like your posts a lot. I just thing... c'mon... cut the guy a break.
I can't believe I just typed that.
ka·mi·ka·ze
P Pronunciation Key (käm-käz)
n.A Japanese pilot trained in World War II to make a suicidal crash attack, especially upon a ship.
An airplane loaded with explosives to be piloted in a suicide attack.
Slang. An extremely reckless person who seems to court death.
adj.Of or relating to a suicidal air attack: a kamikaze mission.
Slang. So reckless in behavior or actions as to be suicidal: kamikaze hot rodders.
OK sorry..
Truly I think the guy showed amazing guts after ..he must have been in agony and that walk back to the dugout must have seemed like it took forever..
Also I think if the guys healthy and can play everyday, why not..?
He's a gamer..
This Matsui guy has been just terrible. He's always bobbling the ball at shortsop and when they moved him over to second base he was even worse. Oh, that's Kaz Matsui for the mets? YIKES!
Mats is definitely one of the most reliable and classy players on the Yankees. He will be missed, and I think your post Peter is really out of line criticizing him for working his ass off in every game. As someone else said, it wasn’t the streak that was important to him, it was working hard and contributing every day and not acting like a primadonna who needs days off all the time.
Over 3 full seasons with the Yanks, the dudes hit around a .300 average with 100+ RBIs every season. One of the most clutch hitters the yankees have had in the playoffs. .980 fielding percentage.
But "we" (the gothamist) would like to see Matsui traded. "We" may even find a certain delight in this good man's injury, wittily entitling our article "Snap!" with pleasure.
I agree going for personal records above the good for your team is wrong, but your article was tasteless and 'off-base'. Again.
Matt-
I wouldn't want to see Matsui traded and I think he is incredibly clutch. I don't take any delight in his injury, as a Yankees' fan I am worried about how they will replace him.
Not to be a super lame stat/math nerd, but if he had 13 more hits over his CAREER after the All Star break he would be hitting .304. Seems to me his defensive ability is worth roughly 1 hit per month.
mattb-
Could you take some time to explain how you calculated that he is "one of the most clutch hitters the yankees have had in the playoffs?" I am looking at the stat book and can't seem to find the "clutch hitting" stat.
Not saying the guy isn't a good player but why is it that lame fans always defend a guy by saying they are "clutch?" If this could be proved don't you think that teams would have a "designated super-lucky guy" for "clutch" situations?
WNBC had an intresting report on the Japanese reaction to Hideki Matsui's injury. It was funny seeing people take photos of the newspaper's sports section headlines.
In last night's Mets game, some outfielder on Philadelphia broke his nose. Bad night for baseball players last night.
he has suitcases full of porn? SOOO what? damn! he's a man alright. I have fucking dvd's of divx files full of porn in suitcase steamers. as long as Matsui isn't on live radio talking about tinkling in the mouths of 4 year olds he's alright.