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Japanese Media Dominates Matsui’s
First Press Conference Since Injury
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Yankees LF Hideki Matsui yesterday held his first press conference after breaking
his wrist last week, which was attended by most of the 65-70 Japanese journalists
credentialed to cover him and the Yankees, according to Richard Sandomir of the
N.Y. TIMES. Kyodo News reporter Hiroshi Kanda: “No other player’s broken wrist
would be front page news.” Hochi Shimbun reporter Yasuko Yanagita added Matsui
is “a superhero in Japan. Not only in the baseball world, but in the sports world.”
But Sandomir wonders what the Japanese media contingent will do “while Matsui’s
wrist heals, a period that could stretch to the end of the season?” The reporters
“may cover lesser Japanese stars” like Rangers P Akinori Otsuka, Cardinals CF
So Taguchi, White Sox 2B Tadahito Iguchi or Mets 2B Kaz Matsui. Some may cover
the Mariners, but 25 Japanese journalists “are already embedded with the Mariners,”
mainly for RF Ichiro Suzuki, but also for C Kenji Johjima. Kanda said that some
Japanese reporters “may return to Japan until Matsui returns.” He added, “I’m
covering Hideki. But I won’t be here all the time. I’m going to cover his practice,
his rehabilitation. It’s still an interesting story. But maybe I’ll go to St.
Louis or Texas.” Yanagita added, “If something happens, there has to be a Hideki
update. Fans want to see what he’s doing. I’d like to stay here” (
N.Y.
TIMES, 5/17).
