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This Day in Yankees History: Hideki Matsui's Grand Debut at Yankee Stadium

Former Yankee Hideki Matsui hit his first Major League home run in his Yankee Stadium debut on this day in 2003. Relive Matsui's grand debut in front of Yankees fans in the Bronx
Max Goodman|
This Day in Yankees History: Hideki Matsui's Grand Debut at Yankee Stadium
This Day in Yankees History: Hideki Matsui's Grand Debut at Yankee Stadium

It didn't take long for Hideki Matsui to win over the crowd at Yankee Stadium.

After an incredible career in Japan, Matsui agreed to terms with New York ahead of the 2003 season. Six road games to start the season kept Matsui away from the Bronx until he made his debut in pinstripes on April 8.

Matsui had already checked off several big-league firsts. He registered his first Major League base hit and RBI in his first at-bat of the season with a single of Toronto's ace – and future Hall of Famer – Roy Halladay. Two days later, he had his first multi-hit game. 

Coming off a season with 50 home runs with the Yomiuri Giants, however, it was only a matter of time until the slugger mashed his first MLB long ball. 

Against the visiting Minnesota Twins, a groundout and walk in his first two plate appearances built the anticipation. Matsui stepped up to the plate in the fifth inning for his third at-bat with the bases loaded and he delivered.

The sweet-swinging lefty pounced on a 3-2 pitch on the inner third, depositing it deep into the right-field bleachers. 

Not only was it his first big-league home run, and his first grand slam, but Matsui earned his first curtain call as well. The Yankees faithful didn't stop cheering until No. 55 re-emerged from the first-base dugout to tip his cap. 

Mastui went on to spend seven seasons with the Bombers, crushing another 139 home runs in a Yankees uniform. He began his career at Yankee Stadium with a bang and Matsui ended it in emphatic fashion. The Japanese superstar won the Most Valuable Player Award for his performance in the 2009 World Series, hitting .615 with eight RBI in six games played.

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For more from Max Goodman, follow him on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. Follow ITP on Twitter @SI_Yankees and Facebook @SIYankees

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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