Hideki Matsui Formally Retires with New York Yankees

After a 10-year MLB career, Hideki Matsui signed a one-day contract with the New York Yankees and retired as a member of the club.

From the Yankees' official Twitter account:

The club also honored him before the game, and the fans were quite excited to see him off after an excellent career with the Bronx Bombers. The organization thanked him for his service via Twitter as well:

Matsui's full press conference can be seen below:

In his time in the major leagues, Matsui hit .282 with 175 home runs, 760 RBI and 656 runs scored in stints with the Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays. He made the All-Star Game three times during his seven seasons with the Yankees and hit .292 with 140 home runs and 597 RBI in that span.

He was also named the 2009 World Series MVP in the Yankees' title victory over the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting .615 with three home runs and eight RBI in six games. He was excellent in the decisive Game 6, knocking in six RBI.

Always a steady hitter, Matsui seemed to save his best for the postseason, hitting .312 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 56 playoff games.

While Matsui won't be a Hall of Famer or remembered as one of the greatest Yankees in the team's storied history, he was a fan favorite during his time with New York and a dangerous bat in the middle of the lineup.

His send-off was a classy move by the organization and a gesture Matsui earned for his seven productive years as a Yankee.