Kazuo Matsui to be at Second in 2005

- There is no doubt that, if asked to move to second, Kaz will do it.

There's isn't no doubt that Matsui won't be at second base in 2005. After Jeff Wilpon and Jim Duqueete have said he could play at second base next year, if the Mets are comforatble with the progress Matsui makes during his rehab. [Link - MLB.com]

Probably so. Out of 50 ground balls, he fielded only 38, cleanly missed 4, and had 8 mis-throws. But this was the first day.

As everyone knows, Kaz has back problems, even when the New York mets signed him. Is his back the reason he makes so many throwing errors? One caller on WFAN wonders how he could win the Golden Glove in Japan then be the worst fielder in MLB. Does NPB score plays differently? Or were all the shortstops in NPB just worst than Kazuo?

Kazuo made a move to a different league, different country, different playing surface, higher level, higher expectations. I don't know if things have changed, but the last time I was there the Mets played on natural grass. Didn't Matsui play the majority of his games under roofs and on astroturf? You've got a reason right there.

- As everyone knows, Kaz has back problems, even when the New York mets signed him. Is his back the reason he makes so many throwing errors?

Kaz Matsui, being in a different country, getting used to a new culture, playing in the open air, on natural grass may have had an effect on his performance - batting and fielding. But, you cannot use these as justifications to explain how a "gold glove" shortstop becomes the worst fielder in the majors.

First of all, Matsui's bad performance in fielding has to be something mental. He just isn't putting everything together. We're talking about a guy who switches his position (wasn't he a pitcher before?), then learns how to switch-hit, and then becomes one of the best hitters in Japan. And now people are saying that he's having trouble adjusting from artificial turf to natural grass? That can't be right.

Kaz did play about 10 games every year (from 2000 I think) on natural grass at Green Stadium Kobe, so the grass shouldn't have been a complete surprise. And from what I am aware of, the majority of Kaz's errors in the Majors are throwing errors, not fielding errors.

- One caller on WFAN wonders how he could win the Golden Glove in Japan then be the worst fielder in MLB.

I didn't really see Kazuo play in Japan much, but considering his speed and the fact that he showed the best arm in a pre-All-Star Game competition, I am willing to believe that he deserves his Golden Glove. However, people not familiar with Japanese baseball should be aware that, often times, the Golden Glove is a popularity contest in which, if a fielder doesn't clearly stand out, the award goes to the most popular player in that category.

For example, I'm sure there were better fielders than Arias at first base last year. Similarly, Furuta and Tanishige, who had fewer runners run against them as well as a higher percentage caught stealing than Yano, had to watch Yano take the Golden Glove because of the stellar year that the Tigers had. And don't even get me started on those Golden Gloves that Hideki Matsui has - he may be a fine fielder who rarely makes mistakes, but he was far from a Golden Glove in his days with the Giants.

- We're talking about a guy who switches his position [...]

I don't think Matsui switched positions in Japan. He was always at shortstop to the best of my knowledge.

- I don't think Matsui switched positions in Japan. He was always at shortstop to the best of my knowledge.

Sorry, I'm going way back here. I'm pretty sure he was drafted out of high school as a pitcher. But then again, I may be wrong. Can anyone verify (or give evidence against) this?

Your reply would make that call in RADI Met fan right when he thought that the Golden Glove in NPB is not a true award.

A Met (MP) who just came back from rehap in Florida is quoted in the New York Post as saying, "Kaz M. is not improving from his rehap." The season may be over for him, I would say.

His chances of Rookie of the Year are nil.

Does anyone in Japan have any info on Kaz, his injury or his progress? All I read in New York was that he was not making progress. Nothing on the injury. What is really going on here?

I have a feeling this is a prelude to a return to Japan.

- Does anyone in Japan have any info on Kaz, his injury or his progress?

Well, MLB.com says that Matsui is still experiencing soreness in his lower back when he runs. Duquette said the reports are getting better, but the Met team doctors have yet to put a timetable on his return. [Link - MLB.com]

The National League president and the Players' Union representative get the same disabled list report. It's his back and a slight lower calf strain of his left leg. If the injury is something other than stated by teh mets, it would lead to a fine, plus disqualify him from the disabled list. The Players' Union takes injuries very seriously, as well as the disabled list rules. Mike Morissey of the New York Post is a very reliable writer covering the Mets.

By the way, George, you once tried to fake a player on the disabled list. Remember that NPB player, to Toad?

Did my evil, misunderstood twin brother refer to Irabu-san by that moniker. I don't remember.

Kaz had an MRI and only shows some inflammation and no structural damage. It hurts when he runs, he says.

He skipped out of the team picture even though he was in New York for the medical exam. To me, that's not a good sign.

Kazuo also decided to stay holed up with his interpreter in Port St. Lucie to ride out a Category 4+ hurricane. His rehabbing team mates, Jose Reyes (broken leg) and Vic Zambrano (elbow tendonitis), are getting the heck out before the hurricane and rejoining their team temporarily on the road in Philadelphia. To me, that's dumb.

I think Kaz has had it. He's quit.

WABC Radio Sports Desk did a talk call in about the fall of the Mets. A lot of reasons were given, with most callers saying bad luck and injuries. However, one caller stated that a couple of super-scouts for the Braves, Angels, Indians, and Marlins always thought that Kazuo Matsui was a weak fielder and his lateral movements were hampered by his physical body. Hitting was listed as better than average. His source was Baseball 2004 Previews Magazine.

The Toad was your name for Pitcher Irabu. You said he was fat and over-weight and you wanted him on the disabled list. A former New York Yankee who was the American League president denied the request and he reprimanded you. The Toad then asked to be traded. You don't remeber this?

Well, I can't see how Matsui-san can go from NPB stud to MLB goat. I think rejoining the team for a day or two, to be in the club house with the guys, would have lifted him up a bit. It's better than hunkering down in Florida while cars are being tossed.

As for Irabu-san, you'll have to write to the real George.

[Link]

Here's a link to New York Newsday on Kazuo with his family hunkering down in the Met's Florida rehab clubhouse to ride out the hurricane, that now looks to be long on flooding rain and short on wind.

Evidently, his back started hurting on the flight to New York, so he didn't want to rejoin the team. Art Howe, already under seige (now derisively referred to by spoiled and mediocre vets as The Wizard), noted he should be with the team.

This Mets team is enough to give anyone a pain in the neck - or back. I think the real storm Kaz is riding out is the 30 days left in the season.

Matsui recieved a cortisone shot in his back Wednesday. The Mets said Matsui is expected to rejoin the team Thursday, and fly back to New York on Friday. [Link - MLB.com]

Matsui will recieve a cortisone shot, but there is no timetable for his return. [Link - NewsDay]

Matsui might return to play in a week. [Link - New York Daily News]

The Mets are hoping that Matsui can return to play in the next homestand. [Link - NewsDay]

Matsui is expected to return Friday (September 24). It's unclear whether Matsui will be able to play. [Link - MLB.com]

Matsui will rejoin the Mets tomorrow (September 24), and is expected to be activated shortly after. [Link - New York Daily News]

Matsui was activated before Friday's (September 24) game. The Mets want to see him play a game at second before the season ends. Let's hope Matsui can finish off strong in his good rookie season. [Link - MLB.com]

I just wanted to point out quickly that Matsui didn't win the Golden Glove his last few years in Japan. That went to Makoto Kosaka of the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Thanks for the info. Then this year was not a sudden diminishment of skill.

[Link - MLB.com] It's official. Kaz is to play at second in 2005.

In typically poor NY Mets' communication style, neither Kaz nor Reyes have been offically told.

[Link - WFAN] This is a link to a radio interview with Fred Wilpon, owner of the heinously bad NY Mets on the Mike and the Mad Dog Show. About 21 minutes into this, Fred gets skewered over Matsui-san. Overall, the direct style is entertaining for most NY Met fans, especially with these two guys asking the kind of questions we're all asking. For the Japanese listener, this is a true NY experience.

Matsui, if healthy, will play at second base this season, instead of waiting until next year, Mets' GM Jim Duquette said Thursday. [Link - MLB.com]

I wish Kaz would have signed with the Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox or Dodgers. The Mets are poorly run and are doomed to bring down every player.

Japanese players have to learn to stay away from the other team in New York!