This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/30/2005.
One of the best Japanese players of the modern era, HIDEKI MATSUI was an All Star, MVP and a home run champion in his native land before coming over to join the Yankees in 2003. In the two seasons he has played with the Yankees, Matsui has hit .292 with 47 home runs and 214 RBIs. Known in Japan as "Godzilla" for his tremendous power, Matsui had trouble adjusting to fastballs in his first major league season, but in 2004 doubled his home run total from the previous year. In his "rookie" year, Matsui contributed greatly to the Yankees postseason success. Though New York eventually lost the title, Matsui's home run in Game Two against the Marlins gave the Yanks a victory. In the World Series he batted .261, walked three times, and drove in four runs. His regular season and postseason stats continue to improve. In a loosing effort against the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS, Matsui hit .412 with a pair of home runs and 10 RBIs and was near perfect in the field. On the inside back center of the headband is the "New Era" manufacturers tag. To the right of that is the official "MLB Licensee" manufacturers tag. To the left of the "New Era" tag is an additional manufacturers tag with the cap size "8" on it. On the underside of the bill of the cap is the player number "55" in black marker. On the front of the cap is the official "NY" logo embroidered in white thread. On the left side is the official "World Series 100th Anniversary" embroidered logo patch. On the outside back center of the headband is the official "MLB" embroidered logo. The cap shows good game use with a small dirt stain on the front at the junction of the bill and the cap. The cap appears to have no alterations of any kind. Accompanied by a Yankees Steiner letter.