Matsui first Japanese-born MVP

By FROM NEWS SERVICES, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 7:31 AM

PHILADELPHIA - Hideki Matsui has the most curious habit at the plate. He never takes a practice swing once he steps into the batter's box.

He saves all those meaty cuts for when he needs them.

Matsui did all sorts of damage Wednesday night, setting a record with six RBI in a World Series clincher as the Yankees beat the Phillies 7-3. His performance won Game 6 -- and clinched the MVP trophy.

Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to win the award that started in 1955. He homered, doubled and singled, highlighting a Series in which he hit .615 with three home runs and eight RBI.

"It's awesome," Matsui said through a translator. "Unbelievable. I'm surprised myself."

His two-run drive off Pedro Martinez in the second inning put the Yankees ahead for good.

Matsui drew a standing ovation when he came to bat in the seventh, and chants of "MVP! MVP!" bounced around the ballpark.

Watching Game 6 on TV in Tokyo, Masanori Murakami echoed that sentiment. He was the first Japanese player in the majors, in 1964 with San Francisco, and fully appreciated the magnitude of Matsui's honor.

"Ichiro Suzuki has had many accomplishments, but they've all been in the regular season. As the first Japanese to win an MVP in the World Series, this is a great accomplishment for Matsui and will have a huge impact," Murakami said.

"New York is a tough place to play, so this is a great achievement for him given all he has been through with injuries and missing time."

Matsui became the 11th Yankees player to win the award, joining teammates Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, along with the likes of Reggie Jackson and Whitey Ford.

One for the Boss

Jeter and the Yankees said throughout the postseason they wanted to win another title for George Steinbrenner.

The frail owner wasn't around when New York won Wednesday, but there's no doubt the outcome brought a smile to his face.

It was the 79-year-old Steinbrenner's seventh crown since he bought the team in 1973 and first since turning over the day-to-day operation of the team to his son, Hal, last November.

George Steinbrenner has made few public appearances since his health deteriorated in recent years. He attended the first two games against the Phillies, returning to the new Yankee Stadium for the first time since Opening Day.

Howard's homer not enough

Ryan Howard broke out of his World Series slump but it wasn't enough for the Phillies to force a Game 7.

He hit a two-run homer to left off Andy Pettitte in the sixth inning to cut New York's lead to 7-3, but that was it for the Philadelphia offense.

The first baseman batted .174 (4-for-23) vs. the Yankees with a Series-record 13 strikeouts.

"You don't look at it as a failure. We had a great season. We just got beat by the better team," Howard said.

Etc.

• Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira was hit by a pitch in the third inning Wednesday, tying two World Series records. Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez each were plunked three times against the Phillies, joining Pittsburgh's Max Carey in 1925 as the only players to be hit three times in a single Series.

• Online ticket brokers reported considerably greater demand and higher prices for Game 6, with StubHub officials deeming it their highest-grossing event ever, with an average sale price in excess of $1,000. Two Legends Level seats in the second row behind home plate were going for $27,500 each.

• New York City will host a ticker-tape parade and ceremony Friday in honor of the Yankees.