09/16: Reason #842 That I Love Matsui
Posted by: Patrick
From Peter Abraham:
It would be so easy for Matsui to say, "well, next year is my contract year and this team is in a hole - I need to get this surgery done and get ready to play for that contract." And most people wouldn't blame him. Some would even say he's hurting us, playing in his present condition, though I don't necessarily believe that.
But, the bottom line is that when a lot of people thought he was done for the year, he kept rehabbing and kept rehabbing and made it back. Even though he most likely needs the surgery, as long as he is able to deal with the effects of his knee and we are still mathematically in this thing, he wants to be there. You have to respect that.
Hideki Matsui told reporters after the game that once the Yankees are eliminated, he likely would have his knee surgery. But he wants to wait until that point and he hopes to play in another game or two.
It would be so easy for Matsui to say, "well, next year is my contract year and this team is in a hole - I need to get this surgery done and get ready to play for that contract." And most people wouldn't blame him. Some would even say he's hurting us, playing in his present condition, though I don't necessarily believe that.
But, the bottom line is that when a lot of people thought he was done for the year, he kept rehabbing and kept rehabbing and made it back. Even though he most likely needs the surgery, as long as he is able to deal with the effects of his knee and we are still mathematically in this thing, he wants to be there. You have to respect that.
