Kazuo Matsui

Kazuo "Kaz" Matsui (松井(朴) 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo) (born October 23, 1975 in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese second baseman for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. Matsui is a switch-hitter. Although it is commonly thought that he is, Matsui is not related to Hideki Matsui. Matsui signed with the New York Mets on December 17, 2003, becoming the first Japanese infielder to sign with a Major League Baseball team. He graduated from the PL Academy Senior High School in Osaka, a school nationally renowned for its baseball program. The only appearance Matsui made at the National High School Baseball Championship Tournament was in his second year at PL Academy. Though Matsui was considered to be the PL Academy's ace starting pitcher, injuries limited him to playing only in the quarter-final game, where he allowed two runs during 2 2/3 innings. Matsui was chosen third overall by the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League in the 1994...