Back Problems with Kazuo Matsui

As I mentioned in the other topic, "Willie Randolph to Show Kaz How to be a MLB Second Baseman," Mets fans will continue to slam Kaz Matsui for no apparent reason. It's annoying listening to the Mets fanbase continually slam Kaz Matsui day in and day out. Matsui does need to work on some things, but is no where near as bad as Mets fans make Matsui out to be. There could be worse: Ordonez, Sanchez, etc.

I wouldn't characterize it that all Mets fans slam Matsui-san and for no reason. He has many defenders as well as critics. There is reason for criticism. His defense last year was mediocre, especially when the superior Jose Reyes was moved to second. Expectations were raised, mostly unfairly, by the signing of this NPB All-Star for a considerable sum when other MLB candidates were out there for the taking. He disappointed based on the hype. His defense was plain disappointing. Then the touted Iron Man is out for an extended period with a mysterious back injury, which wasn't diagnosed until after the season as a slightly herniated disk.

Matsui's offense was fine and he led the Mets in several offensive categories. His attitude was great for a guy in a tough situation. His baseball instincts were mostly solid. This season, he's made the switch to second pretty well. His hitting is light, but it's only spring training. The Mets are pleased with his play this spring nevertheless. I haven't heard as much fan criticsm this spring as I heard last season.

To summarize, the fans have been critical of Kaz, partly due to his advance hype (not his fault), dislodging Reyes, and by his mediocre play in the field last year (his fault). Yes, NY fans are tough, harsh, and knowledgable, but can come around quickly to the other side with good performance, attitude, and hard play. If Kaz's back holds up, he'll be OK and the fans will praise his good baseball.

Duke, you're right with your reply. Mets' fans are hard liners when it comes to baseball.

Even with the big changes to the Mets, from management to players, they are still just picked above the DC Nationals to win their division, which, by the way, the Nationals are picked last. These picks came out at the same time as the pack problems for Kazuo, so if you're a Met fan drinking your A.M. coffee, you can see the heart burn this would cause.

The question is, can the Mets stay in the race longer than last year when their season was over by the end of June? Kaz won't be the goat all by himself this year. Pedro, Beltram, and Willie will get the blame.

I don't think Kaz will get hit hard like last year. I mean, if he gets injured or still has the same problem as last year, they still have Cairo to back him up. So I think the pressure is gone for Kaz and he should do great this season.

Speaking of Cairo, he is having a better spring than Matsui so far. Cairo started at second for the Yankees last year and did very well. He hit .292/.346/.417 with 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts, and 6 errors at playing second base.

And don't forget, Omar Minaya, the Mets' GM, is very high on Cairo. Don't know where Willie Randolph is on this. Kaz will need to start hitting very soon if he hopes to play 150+ games at second this year.

Other than that, the pressure should be lower compared to last year. Based on the player additions, Wright's emergence and Reyes' health, Kaz is now an ensemble player, not the stud he was made out to be last year.

IMHO, Big Matsui across town is going to have a much longer tenure in New York than Junior Matsui.

Kaz, benched again Friday (April 15). The Mets beat Florida 1-0.

Willie R. is mixing the linup to find the best one for the Mets.

Cairo at second looked lost at the plate in judging fastballs on the corners.

Met fans love unbeaten streaks, especially against top teams. The Mets are the talk of the town on radio, maybe due to the Yanks losing. In over three hours of baseball talk on the radio, Kaz's name came up once. It seems the caller thinks his back still hurts.

I just read that Matsui was booed soundly at the game yesterday after making his return to second base. He was not charged with any errors, but he did not play two balls well and botched a double play. Cairo is a fan favorite from the way he played for the Yankees last year.

Matsui told the reporters that in Japan the fans do not boo a player's mistake.

Kaz is trying some eyesight improvement technique by sleeping with a contact lens, which scratched his cornea.

Kaz is in a tough spot. Turns out Willie R. is also a big Cairo fan, but he gamely backs Kaz as his second baseman. Publicly, anyway. His team mates support him publicly, too. WR said it might take 2 years for Kaz to be a solid second baseman. New Yorkers won't wait that long, and besides, Kaz's contract will be up by then.

Back and eyesight problems can't be good for a ballplayer. Kaz's head is into the game and he's a hard worker, but he is in a very deep hole. Look for a graceful way to exit.