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Hideki Matsui was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2009 World Series after a record-setting performance in the decisive Game 6. Matsui drove in six of the Yankees' seven runs in their World Series-clinching victory, staking New York to an early lead with a two-run homer off of Pedro Martinez in the second inning and falling a triple short of the cycle. His six RBI were the most by any player in a World Series clincher. Five others -- including Reggie Jackson -- held the record of five RBI previously.
"It's awesome," Matsui said through a translator of his achievement. "Unbelievable. I'm surprised myself.
"It's certainly different. All I can say right now is I feel great," he added.
Due to be a free agent this winter, Matsui is the first native of Japan to win the award -- yet another milestone as Japanese players begin to lay their roots in the major leagues.
Asked whether he would return to the Yankees next season, Matsui, 35, sounded optimistic.
"I hope so. I hope it works out that way," he said. "I love New York, I love the Yankees."
The Yankees will look to get younger this offseason, so Matsui may not fit into their plans, particularly with some of their other veterans like Jorge Posada headed for more DH duty down the line. It will certainly be a lot harder to let him hit the open market after his performance throughout the 2009 season, but particularly in the playoffs.
Matsui is only the second designated hitter to win World Series MVP after Paul Molitor, who won it with the Blue Jays in 1993.
Molitor played three games at DH, two at first base and one at third base in that series, but Matsui did not start any games for the Yankees when the series shifted to Philadelphia (where National League rules were in play) for Games 3, 4 and 5, being relegated to pinch-hitting duty instead.
Matsui hit .615 in the series, with three home runs and eight RBI.
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