YES Network.com

Former Yankees outfielder and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui has decided to retire from baseball, according to a Japanese news source, and he will host a press conference in New York in the very near future to officially announce his retirement.

Matsui, now 38, was a three-time Central League MVP during his career in Japan before signing with the Yankees in December 2002. He was with the Bombers from 2003-09, hitting .292 with 140 home runs and 597 RBI overall, and was a two-time All-Star.

“Godzilla” closed his Yankees career by hitting .615 with three home runs and eight RBI in the 2009 World Series en route to earning series MVP honors, and then left to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the 2010 season.

After spending 2010 in Anaheim and 2011 with Oakland, Matsui signed a Minor League deal with Tampa Bay in April 2012 and was called up on May 29 – but was released in July after hitting just .147 with two homers and seven RBI in 34 games.

For his career, Matsui hit .282 overall with 175 home runs and 760 RBI.

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