Major League Baseball

Matsui backs games between Japan, MLB champions

Published Jan. 20, 2010 5:11 a.m. ET

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World Series MVP Hideki Matsui likes the idea of games between the World Series and Japan Series champions even though he may be retired by the time such a matchup takes place.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig told his Japanese counterpart earlier this month that he is open to games between the champions of both countries but no steps have been taken to set up such a series.

``If it ever happens I would be happy and I'm sure the fans would enjoy it,'' Matsui said Wednesday. ``A lot of details would have to be worked out like where to play the games and its possible I'll be retired by the time they get it organized.''

Japan has won the World Baseball Classic twice but Matsui opted out of both tournaments, saying he wanted to prepare for the regular season.

Matsui signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels last month.

Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is likely to replace Vladimir Guerrero as Los Angeles' primary designated hitter and has been projected as a No. 4 hitter in the lineup.

``I'm glad the expectations for me are high,'' Matsui said. ``But my goals are the same as every year: stay healthy and help my team win a championship.''

Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last season as a designated hitter for the New York Yankees.

A former gold glove winner in Japan, Matsui is anxious not to be restricted entirely to the DH role.

``I want to play every game next season and play some of those games in the outfield,'' Matsui said.

Matsui made the comments during a promotional visit to Japanese construction and mining equipment manufacturer Komatsu. Matsui's father worked at Komatsu and the company had an advertisement in the right field stands at Yankee Stadium.

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