Tampa, Feb 19: A large media contingent and more than 1,500 fans turned out to watch Japanese Baseball superstar Hideki Matsui on his first day of practice in a New York Yankee uniform. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was noticably absent as Matsui,signed to a $21 million, three-year deal, practiced with the team for the first time. Japanese television stations went live to the ballpark before the morning workout, which started at 12:30 a.m. back home. NHK, which will broadcast the Feb. 27 exhibition opening game live at 3:15 a.m. in Japan, manned a high-definition camera above the center-field fence. Several fans wore team jerseys with Matsui's No. 55 as the gift shop sold dozens of the $120 jerseys and $25 T-shirts. Fans chanted Matsui's name along with the other Yankees' stars, such as Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi. Wearing the Yankees' navy batting practice jersey, white pinstriped pants and a Yankees' cap, he threw with Bernie Williams in right field as fans cheered then took batting practice as he hit for the first time in a Yankee uniform.


Bureau Report