Standing Ovation for Angels DH Hideki Matsui at Yankee Stadium
Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui received a standing ovation at the Yankee stadium when he was presented with a world series ring in a ceremony just before the Yankees home match against the Angels.
Yankees television broadcaster John Sterling said,” We still have one more ring left,”after the entire Yankees team had been introduced and presented with rings by Manager Joe Girardi and Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra.
The crowd went wild when Matsui’s video appeared on the huge video board in center field. Matsui, who drove in six runs in the Yankees' World Series Game 6 clinching victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, doffed his cap to the crowd in appreciation, and the entire Yankees team then engulfed Matsui and exchanged hugs with their former teammate.
In a press conference before the ring ceremony he was asked about his opinion on fans’ reaction to see him in Angels red and he responded by saying, “I don't think Yankees fans will be confused at all -- they want their team to win," He also said, "Having said that, I would like to offer my gratitude for the fans here for supporting me for seven years. Hopefully, I will express that during the ring ceremony."
"Certainly, there's a little bit of envy when you had a chance to put your name on a ring and you didn't get there," Manager Mike Scioscia said as most of the Angels players and coaches watched the ceremony from the third base dugout having been eliminated by the Yankees in a six game American League championship series in October.
