Godzilla

How rare is it to come across a professional athlete who is honest with himself and acts like an adult. We'll miss you, Hideki.

Matsui was one of two Yankees coming off four-year, $52 million contracts. The idea of a pay cut initially offended the other, Johnny Damon, who took until last week to sign for one year and $8 million with Detroit. Matsui took less but signed earlier, accepting his standing in the market.

“At least for me, personally, it doesn’t really bother me,” Matsui said. “You have to take into consideration what the current market is and also your worth as a player, how teams assess you. My market price four or five years ago was different because my age was different.”

He added: “In my mind, it wasn’t so much about money. It was more about the situation, the conditions, going to a winning team, and also having the opportunity to play every game, hopefully. And then also — whether I can do it or not, putting that aside — at least having a chance to play the outfield. That is what really drove my decision.”

Well, he may be a trifle deluded to think he can still make a meaningful defensive contribution, but his off-season decisions were a poignant contrast to the sad Johnny Damon parade.

Hideki Matsui wrapped his fingers around his lips, making a megaphone with his left hand. In a deep voice that needed no translation, he bellowed a sound he did not hear often in seven seasons with the Yankees: “Booooooo!”

Matsui was guessing how the crowd would react at Yankee Stadium next month if the Yankees bestow a championship ring on a visiting player. The Los Angeles Angels, Matsui’s new team, are the first visitors to the Bronx this season, with a three-game series starting April 13.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Matsui said through his interpreter, Roger Kahlon, after an Angels practice at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Tuesday. “It’s kind of weird, because I’ll be wearing a different uniform. Will I be part of the ceremony? I don’t know if we’re all supposed to be wearing casual clothes.”

I can promise him that the cheers will be rapturous.