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4 pro sports teams pledge to promote Osaka Pref.

OSAKA, Japan - Four top officials of baseball and soccer teams in the Kansai region, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and mascot characters gather together at the Osaka prefectural government office to hold a "solidarity" ceremony on June 4, 2014, to further promote tourism for the western Japanese prefecture. (From L, Hanshin Tigers Managing Director Kazuo Awai, Orix Buffaloes President Hiroaki Nishina, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, Cerezo Osaka President Masao Okano, and Gamba Osaka President Teruhisa Noro).

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Kaz Matsui hopes to make 'new history' with Rakuten

SENDAI, Japan - Former major league infielder Kazuo Matsui poses for photos at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Nov. 29, 2010, before joining the Rakuten Eagles. Matsui said at a press conference he hopes he can respond to his new club's expectations after rejoining Japanese baseball for the first time in eight years.

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Kaz Matsui hopes to make 'new history' with Rakuten

SENDAI, Japan - Former major league infielder Kazuo Matsui speaks during a press conference in Sendai on Nov. 29, 2010, before joining the Rakuten Eagles. Matsui said he hopes he can respond to his new club's expectations after rejoining Japanese baseball for the first time in eight years.

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Ex-Rockies' player Matsui at Narita airport

NARITA, Japan - Professional baseball player Kazuo Matsui, who played for the triple-A Colorado Springs under the Colorado Rockies this season, speaks to reporters at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture upon his return from the United States. Matsui said he is 50-50 between coming back to Japanese baseball and trying to play in the major leagues again.

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Astros release K. Matsui

LOS ANGELES, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui watches a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 17, 2010. The Astros manager said May 19 that the club has waived Matsui.

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Kuroda takes 5th win

LOS ANGELES, United States - Los Angeles Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda (L) speaks with Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui after reaching second base in the fifth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 18, 2010. The Dodgers won 7-3.

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Astros' K. Matsui hitless against Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, United States - Kazuo Matsui of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out in the second inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 13, 2010. Matsui went 0-for-4 in his team's 4-1 victory.

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Astros' K. Matsui hitless against Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, United States - Kazuo Matsui of the Houston Astros grounds out to third during the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 13, 2010. Matsui went 0-for-4 in his team's 4-1 victory.

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Astros' K. Matsui hitless against Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, United States - Kazuo Matsui of the Houston Astros returns to the dugout after grounding out in the ninth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 13, 2010. Matsui went 0-for-4 in his team's 4-1 victory.

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Japanese MLB players take it easy

HOUSTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (L) and Pittsburg Pirates second baseman Akinori Iwamura, both from Japan, chat at Minute Maid Park in Houston on April 23, 2010. Iwamura went hitless in the team's 3-4 loss while Matsui missed the game the same day.

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K. Matsui goes hitless

ST. LOUIS, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui heads back to the dugout after grounding out to shortstop during the eighth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 14, 2010. Matsui went hitless in the club's 1-2 loss, the eighth straight defeat from the start of the season.

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K. Matsui goes hitless

ST. LOUIS, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui grounds out to shortstop during the sixth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 14, 2010. Matsui went hitless in the club's 1-2 loss, the eighth straight defeat from the start of the season.

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K. Matsui shines against Pittsburg

BRADENTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits an infield single during the first inning of an exhibition game against the Pittsburg Pirates in Bradenton, Florida, on March 23, 2010. Matsui made three hits in an 11-1 victory.

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K. Matsui shines against Pittsburg

BRADENTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits a single to right during the fourth inning of an exhibition game against the Pittsburg Pirates in Bradenton, Florida, on March 23, 2010. Matsui made three hits in an 11-1 victory.

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K. Matsui shines against Pittsburg

BRADENTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits a run-scoring double to right during the second inning of an exhibition game against the Pittsburg Pirates in Bradenton, Florida, on March 23, 2010. Matsui made three hits in an 11-1 victory.

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Astros' Matsui and Red Sox's Matsuzaka at Ft. Myers

FORT MYERS, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (R) chats with Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) during spring training games in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 21, 2010. Matsuzaka pitched well in a minor league intra-squad game. Matsuzaka's spring debut is set for March 25 against the Florida Marlins in Fort Myers after he was delayed by back and neck ailments.

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Astros' Matsui homers against Red Sox in preseason game

FORT MYERS, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits a two-run homer in a 10-7 win over the Boston Red Sox in a split-squad game called during the eighth inning because of rain at Fort Myers, Florida, on March 21, 2010.

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Astro's K. Matsui hitless

KISSIMMEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui grounds out to third during the first inning in a match against the Atlanta Braves in a spring training game on March 6, 2010, in Kissimmee, Florida. Matsui was hitless in four at-bats in a 3-0 win.

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Astros Matsui practices pitching at spring training

KISSIMMEE, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui practices batting at spring training in Kissimmee, Florida on Feb. 26, 2010.

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Astros Matsui participates in spring training

KISSIMMEE, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui (R) practices with the team's new shortstop Tommy Manzella (12) during spring training in Kissimmee, Florida on Feb. 26, 2010.

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K. Matsui gets 2,000th career hit

MILWAUKEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (C) is congratulated by teammates at the bench after hitting a third-inning infield single at Miller Park on Aug. 15 to collect the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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K. Matsui gets 2,000th career hit

MILWAUKEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (L) runs to first base after hitting a third-inning infield single at Miller Park on Aug. 15 to collect the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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K. Matsui gets 2,000th career hit

MILWAUKEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui smiles at first base after hitting a third-inning infield single at Miller Park on Aug. 15 to collect the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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K. Matsui gets 2,000th career hit

MILWAUKEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (L) acknowledges spectators after hitting a third-inning infield single at Miller Park on Aug. 15 to collect the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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K. Matsui gets 2,000th career hit

MILWAUKEE, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits a third-inning infield single at Miller Park on Aug. 15, collecting the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 3-for-4 against Florida Marlins

MIAMI, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui hits a double off Florida Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom in the eighth inning of a game at Land Shark Stadium in Miami on Aug. 12. Matsui went 3 for 4 with a walk as the Houston Astros won 14-6.

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K. Matsui hits 2 singles vs Brewers

HOUSTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui watches his single to left in the eighth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Aug. 8. The Brewers won 15-2.

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K. Matsui hits 2 singles vs Brewers

HOUSTON, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui hits a sacrifice fly to right with a broken bat in the sixth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Aug. 8. The Brewers won 15-2.

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K. Matsui attains 400th steals

HOUSTON, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui smiles after successfully stealing second base to record the 400th steal in his career in Japan and the United States in the second inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 5.

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K. Matsui attains 400th steals

HOUSTON, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui (L) successfully steals second base to record the 400th steal in his career in Japan and the United States in the second inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 5.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 1-for-4 against S.F. Giants

HOUSTON, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 3. Matsui went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs as the Astros won 4-3.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 1-for-4 against St. Louis Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui hits a double in the fourth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Bush Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on Aug. 2. Matsui went 1-for-4 with an RBI as the Astros won 2-0.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 1-for-4 against Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui hits a two-run homer over the right-field fence in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 30. Matsui went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 3-for-3 against Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui hits a single to left in the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 29. Matsui went 3-for-3 but the Astros lost 0-12.

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K. Matsui, Fukudome in Chicago

CHICAGO, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui (L) and the Chicago Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome, both from Japan, chat before their game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 27.

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K. Matsui contributes to Astros come-from-behind win

HOUSTON, United States - Kazuo Matsui hits an RBI single in the seventh as the Houston Astros rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 at Minute Maid Park on July 22.

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Houston's K. Matsui, Tejada celebrate win

LOS ANGELES, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (R) and shortstop Miguel Tejada celebrate after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 17.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 2-for-4 against L.A. Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, United States - Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui watches his RBI single to center in the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 16. Matsui went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Astros won 3-0.

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Houston's K. Matsui lackluster in team's victory

SAN DIEGO, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui pops out to center in the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on July 2. Matsui went hitless despite his club's 7-2 victory.

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Houston Astros' Matsui 2-for-4 against San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui hits to center in the ninth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park in San Diego on July 1. Matsui went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Astros won 7-1.

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K. Matsui returns to Astros, but goes hitless

ARLINGTON, United States - Kazuo Matsui, who returned to the Houston Astros lineup for the first time in three weeks after recovering from a right hamstring injury, leaves the field after the team lost to the Texas Rangers 6-1 at Rangers Ballpark on June 16. Matsui, a designated hitter, went 0-for-3.

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Astros hold game with WBC Panama team

KISSIMMEE, United States - The Houston Astros' Kazuo Matsui (L) stands March 5 with Julio Zuleta, a member of the World Baseball Classic Panama team, after advancing to first base in the fifth inning of their game ahead of the opening of the WBC tournament. Zuleta was a member of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League in the last season.

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Japanese major leaguers at spring camp

KISSIMMEE, United States - Houston Astros infielder Kazuo Matsui (R) speaks with teammate Miguel Tejada (R) at the club's spring training camp in Kissimmee, Florida, on Feb. 23. (MLB)

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Baseball: Okajima helps Red Sox take 2-0 lead in World Series

BOSTON, United States - Hideki Okajima (photo) threw 2-1/3 innings of perfect relief on Oct. 26 as the Boston Red Sox edged the Colorado Rockies 2-1 in Game 2 to lead the World Series two games to none. Okajima struck out four of the seven batters he faced, including Kazuo Matsui in the first matchup between a Japanese pitcher and a Japanese batter in World Series history. The Rockies second baseman went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts at Fenway Park.

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Baseball: K. Matsui 0-for-4 as Boston beats Colorado Rockies 2-1

BOSTON, United States - Colorado second baseman Kazuo Matsui picks up an infield grounder in the third inning of the Rockies' 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park on Oct. 25. Boston leads the series two games to none. Matsui went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

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Baseball: K. Matsui goes 1-for-4 in World Series opener

BOSTON, United States - Kazuo Matsui beats out the throw at first base in the sixth inning for a 1-for-4 performance in his first World Series appearance on Oct. 25 but the Colorado Rockies had their marvelous postseason winning streak snapped with a 13-1 drubbing by the Boston Red Sox in Game 1.

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Matsuzaka, K. Matsui together at World Series training session

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) and Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui share a joke during a training session at Fenway Park on Oct. 24, a day before the two teams faced off in the World Series opener, with the Rockies losing 13-1. This is the sixth consecutive year featuring at least one Japanese player in the World Series.

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Okajima helps Boston reach World Series

BOSTON, United States - Japanese rookie Hideki Okajima had scoreless relief outing at Fenway Park Oct. 22, helping the Boston Red Sox reach the World Series against Kazuo Matsui's Colorado Rockies. The Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 11-2 in Game 7.

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Colorado Rockies to advance to World Series

DENVER, United States - Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui hits an RBI single to center in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field in Denver on Oct. 15. The Rockies won 6-4 to sweep the NLCS.

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Baseball: K. Matsui, Rockies close in on World Series

DENVER, United States - Kazuo Matsui (2nd L) and his teammates celebrate after the Colorado Rockies posted a 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Oct. 14 to move one win away from their first-ever league title.