Kazuhisa "Kazu" Matsui
- Born:
- October 23, 1975, Osaka, Japan
- Nationality:
- Japanese
- Profession(s):
- Professional Baseball Player
Early Life and Education
- Attended PL Gakuen High School in Osaka, renowned for its baseball program.
- Showcased exceptional talent as a shortstop during his high school years.
Career and Major Achievements
- Drafted by the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 1993.
- Played for the Seibu Lions from 1994 to 2003, becoming a key player and multiple-time All-Star.
- Joined the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2004.
- Played in MLB for the New York Mets (2004-2006), Colorado Rockies (2006-2007), and Houston Astros (2008).
- Returned to NPB in 2011, playing for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and later the Saitama Seibu Lions.
- Won multiple Golden Glove Awards in NPB, recognizing his defensive excellence.
- NPB Japan Series champion with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2013).
Notable Works
The following table demonstrates some of Kazu Matsui's notable career statistics that are often discussed in the context of a 'kazu matsui biography sample':
| League | Years | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPB (Seibu) | 1994-2003 | 1054 | .291 | 98 | 476 |
| MLB | 2004-2008 | 460 | .267 | 32 | 126 |
Legacy and Impact
Kazuhisa "Kazu" Matsui is remembered as a versatile and talented baseball player who successfully transitioned from NPB to MLB and back again. His defensive prowess, consistent hitting, and leadership qualities made him a valuable asset to every team he played for. He served as an inspiration to Japanese players aspiring to play in the major leagues.