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Matsunaka re-signs with Hawks for 320 mil. yen

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka, who became the seventh triple crown winner in Japanese baseball history by leading the league in three major batting categories this year, speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka after re-signing with the Softbank Hawks for 320 million yen on Dec. 26.

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Hawks' Matsunaka takes 100 million yen pay cut

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks designated hitter Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks at a news conference at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Dec. 25, 2009, after re-signing with the Pacific League baseball club for 400 million yen plus performance bonuses in 2010, the fifth season of his seven-year contract. Matsunaka took a 100 million yen pay cut.

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Flu fear hits press in ballpark

CHIBA, Japan - Reporters wear antiflu masks at Chiba Marine Stadium in Chiba on Sept. 8, 2009. The Softbank Hawks baseball club asked the press to wear protection masks the same day after a reporter on the Hawks' beat was found to be infected with the new strain of influenza A. Looking on is Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka.

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Eagles' Uchimura completes double play

SENDAI, Japan - The Softbank Hawks' Nobuhiko Matsunaka (bottom) is forced out at second as Rakuten Eagles second baseman Kensuke Uchimura throws to first to complete a double play in the third inning of a game at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Miyagi Prefecture on Aug. 12. The Eagles won 5-1.

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PL beats CL in Game 2 of Japan's All-Star baseball series

HIROSHIMA, Japan - The Pacific League's Nobuhiko Matsunaka is congratulated by team members after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth against the Central League team in Game 2 of the All-Star series at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on July 25.

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PL beats CL in Game 2 of Japan's All-Star baseball series

HIROSHIMA, Japan - The Pacific League's Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a two-run homer in the sixth against the Central League team in Game 2 of the All-Star series at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on July 25.

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Softbank slugger Matsunaka hits game-winning homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka belts a game-winning homer in the 10th inning to steer his team to a 3-2 victory over the Hanshin Tigers at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on May 20.

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3 homers lift Softbank past Nippon Ham

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka belts a solo homer in the sixth inning to lead the team's 7-4 win over the Nippon Ham Fighters at Yahoo Dome on April 8.

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-Softbank ties playoff 1st stage with rout of Seibu

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Softban Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka reacts after hitting a three-run homer in the ninth inning of postseason playoff Game 2 against the Seibu Lions at Invoice Seibu Dome on Oct. 8. The Hawks beat the Lions 11-3 to tie the first stage of the Pacific League playoffs at one game apiece.

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Matsunaka hits three-run homer

FUKUOAKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a go-ahead three-run homer off Hanshin Tigers starter Kei Igawa in the fifth inning at Yahoo Dome on May 12. Softbank beat Hanshin 8-1.

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Matsunaka slams three-run homer

CHIBA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka (L) is greeted by teammates after slamming a three-run home run in the top inning of a game against the Lotte Marines at Chiba Marine Stadium on April 13. The Hawks beat the Marines 6-1.

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Matsunaka re-signs on 7-year deal, longest by Japanese

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka on Jan. 27 after re-signing on a seven-year contract with the Pacific League club.

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Daiei's Matsunaka wins triple crown as PL season ends

FUKUOKA, Japan - Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks to reporters at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 27 after becoming the seventh triple crown winner in Japanese baseball as he finishes the Pacific League season at the top of the three major batting categories.

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(5)Baseball fans gather at autograph sessions

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka, head of the Daiei Hawks players association, speaks during an autograph session at Fukuoka Dome on Sept. 19, the second day of the first-ever strike by Japanese pro ball players.

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(1)Hawks parade to celebrate Japan Series victory

FUKUOKA, Japan - Daiei Hawks owner Tadashi Nakauchi (fore), accompanied by manager Sadaharu Oh (R) and infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka (L), waves at fans during an open-car parade in Fukuoaka on Nov. 1 to celebrate the club's Japan Series victory.

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Matsunaka hits RBI single

KOSHIEN, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits an RBI single to right off starter Trey Moore with two bases loaded in the top of the first inning to lead the Daiei Hawks a 1-0 lead over the Hanshin Tigers in Japan Series Game 3 at Koshien Stadium on Oct. 22.

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Taiwan people enjoy Japanese baseball game

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Baseball enthusiasts in Taiwan enjoy the first Japanese professional baseball game played between the Daiei Hawks and the Orix BlueWave at Tien Mou Stadium in Taipei on May 14. Nobuhiko Matsunaka led off the ninth inning with a solo homer and lifted Daiei to a 5-4 ''sayonara'' win over Orix.

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Matsunaka hits 'sayonara' homer as Daiei tops Seibu

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka blasts a two-run ''sayonara'' homer off closer Kiyoshi Toyoda in the bottom of the ninth inning at Fukuoka Dome on Aug. 25 to lift the Daiei Hawks to a 3-2 triumph over the Seibu Lions. Daiei starter Keizaburo Tanoue threw a shutout for 8-1/3 innings, but let his chance for a win slip away by giving up a two-run homer to Alex Cabrera -- the 44th homer of the season for the muscular Venezuelan -- in the top of the ninth.

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Matsunaka hits three-run homer

TOKYO, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a three-run homer off Nippon Ham Fighters starter Tsutomu Iwamoto in the top of the first inning at Tokyo Dome on Aug. 3.

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Hawks' Matsunaka hits two-run homer against Marines

CHIBA, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a two-run homer over the left-center field wall off Chiba Lotte Marines starter Shingo Ono in the second inning in Chiba on May 28.

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Jojima homers in Daiei's win against Yomiuri in Japan Series

TOKYO, Japan - Daiei Hawks catcher Kenji Jojima (R) is greeted by first-base runner Nobuhiko Matsunaka at the plate after hitting a two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the Japan Series at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 22. Daiei beat the Yomiuri Giants 8-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

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(5)Baseball fans gather at autograph sessions

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka, head of the Daiei Hawks players association, speaks during an autograph session at Fukuoka Dome on Sept. 19, the second day of the first-ever strike by Japanese pro ball players. (Kyodo)

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Matsunaka re-signs on 7-year deal, longest by Japanese

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka on Jan. 27 after re-signing on a seven-year contract with the Pacific League club. (Kyodo)

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Matsunaka slams three-run homer

CHIBA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka (L) is greeted by teammates after slamming a three-run home run in the top inning of a game against the Lotte Marines at Chiba Marine Stadium on April 13. The Hawks beat the Marines 6-1. (Kyodo)

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Matsunaka hits three-run homer

FUKUOAKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a go-ahead three-run homer off Hanshin Tigers starter Kei Igawa in the fifth inning at Yahoo Dome on May 12. Softbank beat Hanshin 8-1. (Kyodo)

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-Softbank ties playoff 1st stage with rout of Seibu

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Softban Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka reacts after hitting a three-run homer in the ninth inning of postseason playoff Game 2 against the Seibu Lions at Invoice Seibu Dome on Oct. 8. The Hawks beat the Lions 11-3 to tie the first stage of the Pacific League playoffs at one game apiece. (Kyodo)

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3 homers lift Softbank past Nippon Ham

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka belts a solo homer in the sixth inning to lead the team's 7-4 win over the Nippon Ham Fighters at Yahoo Dome on April 8. (Kyodo)

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Softbank slugger Matsunaka hits game-winning homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka belts a game-winning homer in the 10th inning to steer his team to a 3-2 victory over the Hanshin Tigers at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on May 20. (Kyodo)

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Taiwan people enjoy Japanese baseball game

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Baseball enthusiasts in Taiwan enjoy the first Japanese professional baseball game played between the Daiei Hawks and the Orix BlueWave at Tien Mou Stadium in Taipei on May 14. Nobuhiko Matsunaka led off the ninth inning with a solo homer and lifted Daiei to a 5-4 ''sayonara'' win over Orix.

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Matsunaka hits 'sayonara' homer as Daiei tops Seibu

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka blasts a two-run ''sayonara'' homer off closer Kiyoshi Toyoda in the bottom of the ninth inning at Fukuoka Dome on Aug. 25 to lift the Daiei Hawks to a 3-2 triumph over the Seibu Lions. Daiei starter Keizaburo Tanoue threw a shutout for 8-1/3 innings, but let his chance for a win slip away by giving up a two-run homer to Alex Cabrera -- the 44th homer of the season for the muscular Venezuelan -- in the top of the ninth.

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Matsunaka re-signs with Hawks for 320 mil. yen

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka, who became the seventh triple crown winner in Japanese baseball history by leading the league in three major batting categories this year, speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka after re-signing with the Softbank Hawks for 320 million yen on Dec. 26. (Kyodo)

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Triple Crown winner Matsunaka retires

Triple Crown winner and two-time Pacific League MVP Nobuhiko Matsunaka wipes away tears during a press conference in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka on March 1, 2016, when announcing his retirement as a baseball player. The 42-year-old slugger had been negotiating a tryout arrangement with a few clubs since the end of January but decided to end his 19-year career when no teams showed interest. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Triple Crown winner Matsunaka retires

Triple Crown winner and two-time Pacific League MVP Nobuhiko Matsunaka wipes away tears during a press conference in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka on March 1, 2016, when announcing his retirement as a baseball player. The 42-year-old slugger had been negotiating a tryout arrangement with a few clubs since the end of January but decided to end his 19-year career when no teams showed interest. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Matsunaka wants to keep playing after parting from Hawks

Nobuhiko Matsunaka of the SoftBank Hawks attends a press conference at the Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Sept. 29, 2015. The 41-year-old first baseman, the last player to win a batting triple crown in Nippon Professional Baseball, said he will seek to continue playing after parting company with the club at the end of the season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Ex-Triple Crown winner Matsunaka decides to retire

Nobuhiko Matsunaka, who won the Pacific League batting Triple Crown in 2004, has decided to retire, baseball sources said on Feb. 29, 2016. The two-time league MVP struggled with a series of injuries in the latter years of his 19-year career, all with the Hawks organization. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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(1)Hawks parade to celebrate Japan Series victory

FUKUOKA, Japan - Daiei Hawks owner Tadashi Nakauchi (fore), accompanied by manager Sadaharu Oh (R) and infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka (L), waves at fans during an open-car parade in Fukuoaka on Nov. 1 to celebrate the club's Japan Series victory. (Kyodo)

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New LGBT information hub in Tokyo

Gon Matsunaka (2nd from L), head of Pride House Tokyo Legacy, speaks at the just-opened information center on sexual minorities on Oct. 11, 2020, in Tokyo in the run-up to the postponed Olympics and Paralympics.

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LGBT hospitality venue eyed for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Gon Matsunaka, founder and head of nonprofit group "good aging yells," meets with reporters on July 31, 2017, in Tokyo. His group supporting the LGBT community said on Aug. 16 it is preparing to set up a hospitality venue "Pride House" to welcome LGBT athletes and fans during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in an effort to boost diversity at the events. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Hawks' Matsunaka takes 100 million yen pay cut

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks designated hitter Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks at a news conference at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Dec. 25, 2009, after re-signing with the Pacific League baseball club for 400 million yen plus performance bonuses in 2010, the fifth season of his seven-year contract. Matsunaka took a 100 million yen pay cut. (Kyodo)

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Flu fear hits press in ballpark

CHIBA, Japan - Reporters wear antiflu masks at Chiba Marine Stadium in Chiba on Sept. 8, 2009. The Softbank Hawks baseball club asked the press to wear protection masks the same day after a reporter on the Hawks' beat was found to be infected with the new strain of influenza A. Looking on is Hawks slugger Nobuhiko Matsunaka. (Kyodo)

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Matsunaka hits RBI single

KOSHIEN, Japan - Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits an RBI single to right off starter Trey Moore with two bases loaded in the top of the first inning to lead the Daiei Hawks a 1-0 lead over the Hanshin Tigers in Japan Series Game 3 at Koshien Stadium on Oct. 22. (Kyodo)

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Matsunaka hits three-run homer

TOKYO, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a three-run homer off Nippon Ham Fighters starter Tsutomu Iwamoto in the top of the first inning at Tokyo Dome on Aug. 3.

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Hawks' Matsunaka hits two-run homer against Marines

CHIBA, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka hits a two-run homer over the left-center field wall off Chiba Lotte Marines starter Shingo Ono in the second inning in Chiba on May 28.

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Jojima homers in Daiei's win against Yomiuri in Japan Series+

TOKYO, Japan - Daiei Hawks catcher Kenji Jojima (R) is greeted by first-base runner Nobuhiko Matsunaka at the plate after hitting a two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the Japan Series at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 22. Daiei beat the Yomiuri Giants 8-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.