Hideki Matsui becomes Giants' new manager, carrying Nagashima's ``90'' on his shoulders - professional baseball

On the 23rd, the professional baseball giants announced the appointment of Hideki Matsui (52), an alumnus of the team who also played for the Yankees of the US Major League Baseball, as manager. On the same day, Matsui held a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo and spoke of his aspirations, occasionally showing a smile, saying, ``I want to start from here today so that a new golden era will come for the Giants.''

At the press conference, he expressed his feelings for his former Giants manager and mentor Shigeo Nagashima, who passed away in June last year, saying, ``Actually, I wanted Coach Nagashima to see this as well.'' His uniform number is "90". Nagashima, who retired from active duty in 1974, chose the number he wore for six seasons starting in 1975, when he took his first steps as a manager.

◇Brief biography of Mr. Hideki Matsui

Hideki Matsui (Hideki Matsui) Joined the Giants in 1993 as the No. 1 draft pick from Ishikawa/Hoshiryo High School. He was named the Central League Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1996, 2000, and 2002, and was the home run champion three times, the RBI champion three times, and the leadoff hitter once. In 2003, he moved to the Yankees of the US Major League Baseball. He became the first Japanese player to win MVP at the 2009 World Series. A total of 2,643 hits, 507 home runs, and 1,649 RBIs in Japan and the United States. After retiring, he became a special advisor to the Yankees' general manager and was also involved in coaching the next generation. 52 years old. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture.