Godzilla Takes the Bronx: The Inside Story of Hideki Matsui

By Jerry Beach

Before the start of the 2003 baseball season, the most celebrated baseball player in Japan signed a deal with the most celebrated baseball franchise in the world. In his first game at the most celebrated stadium in the history of sports, he worked the count full...and hit a grand slam With the nickname of "Godzilla", an affinity for the press, and the largest stage in the world for a baseball player to play on, Hideki Matsui is already on his way to becoming an American and Japanese icon. In this book, veteran baseball writer Jerry Beac details each of Matsui;s headline-worthy ups and downs while also detailing his evolution into international icon and sporting role model

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589791134
• ISBN13: 9781589791138
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Godzilla have great pesonality.

I think it is natural that Godzilla get to be parson written by many books. In second year as NY Yankees, he blashed up his potensial ability:the homerun over 30, almost 3.00 average and over 100 RBI. I have tought it was natural that he extended hisself figure. Because he got many beseball title in Japan: the homerun king over 50, MVR, RBI king.... But I did not think that he get to be the fourth batter of Yankees. Certainly he was the fourth batter in Yomiuri Giants Tokyo, however Japanese think that the skill gap between Japanese baseball and MLB is clear. I think so too. But in the second year, he obtained the fourth batter in Yankees, the top team over the world. U.S.A people may think why Japanese are excited to Japanese major leaguers. I think that Japan is a island country enclosed in the sea, additionaly a single race nation unlike U.S.A. But the truth Godzilla's wonderful things is not only his baseball playing ability, but also his nice character and pesonality. I hear that he is very popular with U.S.A children. I think that he is loved by children because of his truth personality. I think that the men that can see through the truth goodness is children rather than adults because they have pure mind. In fact he have done many charity activity, besides, he have done the activity personally, not public: the donation for intellectual disorder men, the donation for the victims of the Hanshin big earthquake(Hanshin Daishinsai). And he never refuse the press interview even if whether that is Japanese media or foreign media. He take the interview every day neverthless his lost game or no hit game. in old days when he was high school student, he advanced to high school baseball championship(Koukou Yakyuu). In those days, other highshool students was fear for Matsui's incredible power hitting, and his opponent team gave him the consecutive intensional five walking, it was natural that his team lost the game. The ordinaly person will be very angly. But after the game, his face was very calm and he said such[I can understand the motive of the opponent team, and If the team did not the intensional walking, I that exist now will not exist(at that time he played as Japanese professional player). I think that he have great personality. Thank you for reading poor writing.

Godzilla Takes The Bronx

I purchased this book, because my husband and I are both Yankee fans. and have been following the Yankees for many many years..This book - has all the qualities of becoming a best seller.. The writing is excellent. and the author.. Jerry Beach, captures Hideki Matsui, in ways.. that we, as Yankee fans..just want more and more info on this very valuable player.. I would hope to see a second book, on this player, as his career with the NY Yankess continues..I give this book(as does my husband) a 5 STAR Rating.. It's a great book.. and we have both thoroughly enojoyed it..Jerry Beach, is an author to follow.. because his writing style.. made this book a GREAT READ!!!!

GREAT BOOK!!!!!

This book is a MUST READ... Although, not usually a baseball fan.. I've been following the Yankees.. because of Hideki Matsui.. Last season was great. and this book, is written by a very talented writer. I feel the writer has captured the "true Matsui" and it's really interesting to read about him"..Get this book FAST before it sells out. It's a MUST for Fathers Day.. for all Yankee Fans.. and ALL sports fan.. to read..Great JOB!!!!! Exciting book.. I give it 5 stars..

A great way to revisit Matsui's memorable first season...

As a loyal Yankee fan that was present for Matsui's historic performance on Opening Day 2003, the final game of the World Series, and many games in between, I highly enjoyed this book. Jerry Beach does a very good job of making the many unforgettable moments of Matsui's first year in pinstripes come to life. Dubbed Godzilla by his adoring fans back home, Matsui's signing with the N.Y. Yankees was international news. Beach's book takes us step-by-step through what it took to make such a deal happen, how fans and industry insiders on both continents took the news, and the subsequent season that had more ups and downs than your average roller coaster. Whether you're an avid Yankee fan, a fan of the Japanese phenom, or just a baseball fan that enjoys a good baseball book, this one is the one to get.

Great Sports Book

As baseball becomes a very international sport, this will take its place as one of the well written and enjoyable sports books that documents this occasion....