Matsui Gets His Championship; Iwamura Will Find His Soon
Interesting article at http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/baseball/2009/11/07/231861/p1/Matsui’s-heroics.htm. It discusses the criticism directed at Hideki Matsui for bypassing playing for Japan to defend their championship in the World Baseball Classic so he could focus on winning a World Series for the Yankees. It appears that Hideki has had the last laugh as he was voted the MVP of the World Series despite not starting in the three games in Philadelphia when the designated hitter was not available. His six RBIs in the crucial sixth game prevented a seventh game from happening, where the Phillies could have trotted out Cliff Lee. Some major league team will pick him up as a DH if the Yankees don’t choose to renegotiate his contract. He has already ruled out going back to Japan.
Another interesting development was the Rays trade of Akinori Iwamura to the Pirates for Jessie Chavez. Iwamura filled the leadoff spot for the Rays when they won the American League championship in 2008 and unselfishly moved from third to second base to accomodate Evan Longoria. Because the Rays had depth at second base and needed a place for Ben Zobrist, Iwamura was expendable. Sometimes, though the type of player you trade can come back to haunt you. There are not a lot of unselfish guys out there who will sacrifice personal goals for the team. Iwamura seemed to be one of those players. He has already embraced his move to Pittsburgh and is excited about playing in a city that produced Roberto Clemente. Those are the kind of players myworld wants on my team.
So give me Matsui and Iwamura, unselfish players who will do what it takes to win a championship, and myworld will give you a championship. With the talent that Pittsburgh is acquiring my bet is that their 17 year losing streak ends in 2011. If they have room for a first baseman perhaps Matsui is available. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind moving there for the good of the team and a national championship for the Pittsburgh Pirates.