DENVER – The beginning went well for the Mets. In Kazuo Matsui’s debut with them in 2004, he started brilliantly.
Matsui homered against the Braves on the first pitch he saw Opening Day that year, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two walks. So far with his new team in Colorado, the former Mets bust has gotten off to a solid start again.
Matsui, who was leading off for Colorado and playing shortstop last night when his Rockies faced off against the Mets in the series opener at Coors Field, played his first game for Colorado last Wednesday. The Japanese infielder, who was traded to Colorado from the Mets on June 9, entered last night hitting .412 for the Rockies (7-for-17) with no homers or RBIs but with three walks.
“It’s a good thing to change the environment,” Matsui said.
“I didn’t make that good result in New York. So I was not playing every day. So I think about that, and if I come here and it seems like I get a chance to play in the majors.
So getting that chance is really a good opportunity for me.” Matsui batted .200 for the Mets this season before being dealt, hitting one homer with seven RBIs in 130 at-bats. The Mets swapped him to Colorado for Eli Marrero, whom they’ve since released, and paid approximately $4.6 million to send him west.
Matsui, whose season average entering last night was up to .224, said he wanted “not just a new start but a fresh start” when he was traded. He admitted there was some anticipation to face off against his former club.
And it certainly would be quite a story if he had a strong series and helped beat the Mets this week.
“My feeling is the same as I play with another team,” he said before the game.
“And at the same time, I’m kind of looking forward to playing my old teammates. That makes me happy.” Obviously there weren’t too many happy moments with the Mets. Matsui, wearing No. 16 in Colorado (his No. 25 with the Mets is now Pedro Feliciano’s), was a 2 1/2-year failure.
“It’s all my fault,” Matsui said.
“I just didn’t do well and I didn’t make good results, so it’s all my fault.” Of Matsui’s remarks, Willie Randolph said, “That says it all right there. That’s his assessment of what was directly involved with him.” Matsui said he enjoys being with the Rockies and stated that “all the players have been really nice to me.” He said he doesn’t pine for his days at Shea.
“I don’t miss them much,” he said of the Mets, though he later stressed how he was obliged for the opportunity the Mets provided him in 2004.
“I’m with this organization right now. I’m one of the members of this team. So I try to make success and get good results for this team.” It remains to be seen if Matsui can continue the good results he’s gotten so far in Colorado.
They didn’t last with the Mets, and neither did he.
MAGIC NUMBER 18