Kazuo Matsui began spring training for his second year in the major leagues at the opposite side of second base Wednesday determined to put bittersweet rookie-season memories behind him.
Matsui spent the first day of the New York Mets' full-squad training at second base and showed a glimpse of his infield versatility during a series of practice sessions that lasted nearly five hours.
The former Seibu Lions star shortstop looked more relaxed this time than a year ago, when he arrived at the Mets camp carrying high expectations as the first Japanese infielder in the major leagues.
The four-time Golden Glove winner in Japan's Pacific League made a dream debut by hitting a homer on the first pitch he faced in the regular season but the focus of attention turned afterward to his error-prone fielding at shortstop.