Hideki Matsui said he was looking forward to the challenge of helping develop young players with the New York Yankees after being formally introduced on Wednesday in his new role as a special adviser to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
Matsuis new job will see him travel around the Yankees farm system to advise players, managers and coaches. Given a one-year contract, he will work with Cashman and former Nippon Ham Fighters batting coach Gary Denbo, who is the teams vice president for player personnel.
"I'm just very thankful to the Yankees for allowing me the opportunity," Matsui said through an interpreter at a news conference. "I've really had a great time being with this organization, and I really look forward to working with the young players and offering anything I can for their development."
Cashman said that having access to Matsui should be a valuable resource for everyone in the Yankees organization.
"He was a pro in that clubhouse, on that field and in every way, shape and form," Cashman said. "He exuded everything that we thought it was to be a Yankee. We wanted him to be in play with our young players."