MLBコミュのMatsui finalized 1-year deal

Matsui was introduced during a news conference in which more than 100 media, including a large Japanese contingent, crowded into a room at Angel Stadium to watch him don a red Angels cap and a No. 55 jersey.

“I’m very excited,” he said through a translator. “This is the beginning of a new journey for me. I’d like to do my best in every way I can to bring another world championship to this team since they won in 2002.”

Matsui surpassed 100 RBIs four times in seven seasons with the Yankees after coming over from Japan, where he was a huge star. He just completed a $52 million, four-year contract with New York.

“There was a certain level of attachment there, but this organization had welcomed me with open arms and understood my goals and desires,” said Matsui, who indicated few other clubs were pursuing him.

Matsui will be the second Japanese player in Angels’ history, and his presence is certain to be a hit with the region’s large Asian population. Shigetoshi Hasegawa pitched for the club from 1997-2001.