Baseball/Softball Media Center

Hideki Matsui Grabs World Series® MVP Honors

Mizuno Brand Ambassador Hideki Matsui was honored with the World Series® MVP Award for his outstanding performance during the 2009 World Series®. The New York Yankees defeated the 2008 World Series® Champion Philadelphia Phillies in a thrilling six game series. Matsui finished the series 8-for-13 (.615) with 3 home runs, 8 RBI, 3 runs, a double, and a walk. In Game 6, Matsui delivered a legendary performance, going 3-for-4 and tying a World Series® record of 6 RBI in one game. Matsui is the first Japanese player in MLB history to earn a World Series® MVP Award.

"I guess you could say this is the best moment of my life right now," said Matsui. "My first and foremost goal when I joined the Yankees was to win the world championship. Certainly, it's been a long road and very difficult journey. But I'm just happy that after all these years we were able to win and reach the goal that I had come here for."

Matsui has played with Mizuno baseball equipment throughout his legendary career, both in Japan and in the United States. He has served as one of the finest Mizuno Brand Ambassadors throughout that time. Mizuno is extremely proud of Matsui's accomplishment in this World Series.

Here is a special message for Matsui from Mizuno's Mastercraftsman for Professional Baseball Bats, Isokazu Kubota: "I would like to congratulate Matsui on winning the World Series, and for earning World Series MVP honors, a first for a Japanese player. I was very impressed with his clutch performances that helped the Yankees win a championship. I look forward to congratulating him in person when he visits Mizuno during the offseason."

Here is a special message for Matsui from Mizuno's Craftsman for Professional Baseball Bats, Tamio Nawa: "I would like to offer my congratulatory words to Matsui. It is an honor for me to have been involved in producing his bats for this special World Series Championship season, and his World Series MVP performance."

Matsui plays with the Mizuno Pro Limited GMP55 Ball Glove, 9-Spike Classic G5 Low Cleats, Pro Limited Batting Gloves and swings the Mizuno Pro Maple Natural Bat.

“Congratulations Hideki!”