As Matsui explains in a recent interview with The Record during a weekday afternoon, “I knew compared to Japan, here I could have a more quiet life.” He is wearing trousers and a gray button-down sweater. “Simply living a lower-tech, greener life.”

Matsui became a national hero in Japan and an adored character in the Bronx thanks to his innate baseball hitting abilities.

Matsui and his wife are raising their American-born 4-year-old son in their Upper West Side apartment, nearly five years after he played in his last major league game.He casually mentions that his family believed this to be the ideal place for him to grow up while sipping water. “We’re really anticipating it.

We speak Japanese at home, but he attends a school where English is the language of instruction. Therefore, we are genuinely interested in seeing the outcome.

When asked if he feels like a true New Yorker now, Matsui responds with a smile and a vague uncertainty. Matsui laughs heartily when asked if he has ever thought of being honored with a Monument Park plaque at Yankee Stadium, with some of his former colleagues.

This is something he describes as “completely implausible” in his view. “To be honest, I don’t feel like I’ve achieved nearly as much as those players did.”

Alright, but how many guys can boast a.292 batting average, 20 home runs per season, and 85 RBI in seven seasons with the Yankees? Matsui certainly fits that bill. Just last year, he split his time between Trenton, Staten Island, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, as a roving hitting instructor for the Yankees’ minor league.аccоrding tо Yаnkees generаl mаnаger Briаn Cаshmаn, “I’d sаy mоst plаyers dоn’t reаlly hаve the interest in” this type оf lаbоr. Fоr mоst superstаrs, the culture shоck is the hаrdest pаrt оf mаking the leаp frоm plаyer tо frоnt оffice оr cоаching.

Additionally, Cashman mentioned that Matsui is a famous superstar around the world. He blends in so well; he’s famous but also just an ordinary man, like Donnie Mattingly.

Starting work on those cold early spring days, Matsui cheered on the promotions of younger players like Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin and loved seeing the late-summer success of Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, who finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.

“You know, it really makes you happy,” Matsui remarked, expressing his own joy at the promotion of a late-round pick to a different minor league level. It doesn’t matter to me which players the team prioritizes; what matters is that they all succeed.

Similarly to when he was a player, Matsui has no problem striking up conversations in English. This afternoon, the charming Roger Khalon, who was Matsui’s assistant when he was a Yankee, is translating his lengthy responses.

“If there’s something special, something a little more important to detail, then I’d ask my interpreter to assist,” Matsui says when asked about not using his interpreter when speaking to his players in English.

When asked if he would be okay with his own son playing the game, Matsui jumps to a conclusion without waiting for the translation.

Somehow, I’d like it if he played. However, he warns that there will be difficulties and obstacles along the way as you go through the levels. “Determination, the extent to which he wishes to proceed, and the pursuit of that path will ultimately rest with him.”Matsui has contributed to player evaluation meetings and has a “great eye for talent,” all of which are appreciated by Cashman. Matsui put the decision to remain with the organization in the hands of the Yankees.

“Really, it’s up to him,” Cashman says. We will acquire him in whatever quantity we can.

Matsui played for three more seasons in three different locales after being named the World Series MVP in 2009 following the Yankees’ last title. I was still considering a future with the Yankees as a player. It was difficult and that didn’t happen. Resigning in 2010 was “difficult,” he admitted.

“However, when I put myself in their shoes, I can also comprehend their choice.”

At this point in time, Matsui has no idea how seriously he will take his baseball interests. Although Derek Jeter has always thought of Matsui as one of his favorite teammates, the idea of Matsui taking on an ownership role has never occurred to him.

As for Matsui, “I don’t have a specific plan,” but he acknowledged that Derek had ambitions and objectives in this area. Discovering one’s true calling is, in my opinion, the most important first step. I believe a clearer path would emerge after I discover my love, be it teaching, leading a team, or something else entirely.Bets on Matsui’s next win include the previous Yankees captain.

During a charity event in Tokyo last year, Jeter informed reporters that Matsui had achieved success in Japan before bringing his formula to the United States.

According to Jeter, “he has a lot of knowledge” and can impart that wisdom to anyone he desires.