TAMPA – It’s not often that Derek Jeter gets played but that’s exactly what Hideki Matsui did to his friend and teammate by running off to New York City yesterday to get married.
At the beginning of spring training, Matsui heard of Bobby Abreu and Jeter having a bet in which the first one to get married would owe money to the other. Since Abreu has a girlfriend, his time frame was six months. With no steady girl, Jeter was given a year.
Matsui asked into the action and was accepted into the Bachelor Derby by Abreu and Jeter. Now, according to Abreu, he and Jeter are out $1,000 by the shrewd Matsui.
“How do you say sneaky in Japanese?” said a stunned Jeter, who thought reporters were joking when they told him Matsui got married Wednesday. “If he wanted the money all he had to do was ask. I thought I had a chance but I didn’t know the guy got married (Wednesday).”
Halfway across the room Abreu was roaring with laughter as news of Matsui’s nuptials circulated throughout the Legends Field clubhouse.
“Did he really?” Abreu shouted at Jeter.
“He set us up,” Abreu said of Matsui. “But it’s good. I have to write a check and send it to Japan. I think it’s for $1,000.”
Having been a Yankee since 1995, Jeter is often heard saying nothing surprises him around the club. Yet, he admitted to being stunned many times yesterday.
“One year, I have no chance,” Jeter said. “Bobby has six months.”
Abreu says he isn’t in a rush to get hitched.
“I will take my time,” Abreu said.
While the wager was a popular topic in the clubhouse prior to the last exhibition game at Legends Field, a facility that was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field before the first pitch, the identity of Mrs. Matsui and wedding details were dark secrets.
All Matsui would say was that they were married in a chapel in New York. Matsui, who was introduced to his bride following the 2006 season in Japan, gave a short description of his wife in a release.
“The bride is a 25-year-old civilian and had been formerly working in a reputable position at a highly respected company,” Matsui said. “I cannot go into further details at this time.”
“Some people knew but as far as the media, nobody knew,” said Matsui, who explained that the ceremony was limited to family members. “Right before the event I went to Joe (Girardi) and a couple of other people to let them know.”
Asked if marriage would change his mind about how long he wants to play – he is signed through next season – Matsui said, “Hopefully it will be a good influence on my life.”