Hideki Matsui was back in Japan for the first time since announcing his retirement in late December and back on the field where he hit home run after home run for the Yomiuri Giants in front of packed houses from 1993-2002.
He stood alone just in front of the pitcher's mound at Tokyo Dome, cast in the glow from a pair of spotlights in an otherwise darkened stadium, as more than 46,000 fans went silent.
"Giants fans, it's been a while," Matsui began, "I am so happy to have the opportunity to return to Tokyo Dome and be with you today. Some of my best days in baseball were playing here before you with the Giants and for (Shigeo) Nagashima-kantoku.