Matsui wants to play outfield for Angels
NARITA, Japan (AP)—World Series MVP Hideki Matsui(notes) is confident he can make areturn to the outfield next season when he suits up for the Los Angeles Angels.
Matsui returned to Japan on Wednesday, two weeks after reaching agreement ona $6 million, one-year contract with the Angels.
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 7:14 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:51 pm EST ![]()
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 6:48 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:45 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:42 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:41 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:14 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:13 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:11 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:07 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:54 pm EST ![]()
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:51 pm EST ![]()
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:49 pm EST ![]()
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:48 pm EST ![]()
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:46 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:45 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:43 pm EST ![]()
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:37 pm EST ![]()
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Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is likely toreplace Vladimir Guerrero(notes) as Los Angeles’ primary designated hitter but said hestill wants to play outfield.
“I’d like to prove I can play defense at spring training,” Matsui saidduring a news conference. “It will be difficult to play defense every day likein the past, but I’d like to reach the point where I’m able to play defense onceevery few games.”
Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last season as a designatedhitter for the New York Yankees. He was selected World Series MVP despitestarting only three of the six games against Philadelphia, going 8 for 13 (.615)with three homers and eight RBIs and tying a Series record by driving in sixruns in Game 6.
Matsui said he heads to the Angels with a mixture of excitement and unease.
“I’m somewhat anxious but there’s a lot to look forward to,” Matsui said.“I want to be able to use to the fullest all that I’ve worked on until now.”
Matsui joined the Yankees in 2003 after a standout career as an outfielderfor the Yomiuri Giants, where he played 1,250 consecutive games.
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