I was confused for a second, thinking Detroit and SFG are in Japan for a series, and then realized these are Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers.
That Giants uniform really fooled me
1. The Yomiuri Giants were named after the New York Giants.
2. The Yomiuri Giants use the old-style "New York Giants" font, not the San Francisco Giants font (though they did use that font briefly in the late 70s)
3. They're not the only team to base their uniforms off those of an MLB team (Chunichi Dragons - LA Dodgers, Chiba Lotte Marines - Chicago White Sox, Hiroshima Carp - Cincinnati Reds)
4. Even if it were copyright infringement (which it's not), the time to complain would've been 90 years ago.
5. It doesn't infringe on the SF Giants' brand in any meaningful way shape or form.
Also, you can't really police copyright on something that was inspired by something else, but is still legally distinct. For example, the Nishitetsu Lions' famous "NL" cap was based on the New York Yankees' "NY" cap. Lions shortstop Yasumitsu Toyoda (who'd planned on being a graphic designer before the Lions signed him) designed the logo and explicitly said he based it on the Yankees cap logo. When the Lions played the Yankees in an exhibition game after that season, the Yankees didn't care. Thus the Lions used it until Nishitetsu sold the club in 1972, and still sell the cap to this day (Hell, I own one)
The current Chiba Lotte Marines home jerseys were adopted in 1995 (though they briefly had a different design from 04-06)
The designer explicity said he based them off the White Sox and the franchise's 1950-57 home jerseys, when they were called the Mainichi Orions.
The original Orions jerseys were based off... the Yankees and White Sox.
So yes, the Marines based their jerseys on the White Sox.
Edits for clarity
Matsui is there for "Nagashima Day", celebrating the achievements of Giants legend Shigeo Nagashima, who was the manager of the club when Matsui joined.
He's actually the reason why Matsui signed with the Giants, as he intially expressed disapointment when he heard that the Giants had taken him in the draft (Matsui grew up a massive fan of the Hanshin Tigers, and idolized Tigers superstar Masayuki Kakefu growing up).
Nagashima met with Matsui and implored him to sign... by essentially guilting him into it, basically telling him "I was the one who wanted to pick you, don't make me look like an idiot"
The relationship was a fruitful one, as Matsui and Nagashima combined for two Japan Series titles in 1994 and 2000. After winning a third Japan Series title in 2002, Matsui left the Giants in free agency after they had made the decision to switch out "Tokyo" on their away uniforms for "Yomiuri". Matsui and Giants management had a massive falling out over this, and the Yomiuri-backed media would brand Matsui a traitor for leaving. Which only twisted the knife.
The jerseys were massively unpopular, however, and poor sales and fan backlash finally led to them being dropped after 2004. They're still branded by some Giants fans as "the jerseys that cost us Matsui".
I love how these posts appear every morning they help promote and foster interest in NPB throughout America and other countries. Now if only they were easier to watch online...
There was already a strained relationship between him and the team after Nagashima retired, that was essentially the straw the broke the camel's back.
The Giants were prepared to offer him the same contract the Yankees did. He said no.
I have literally never heard that before in my life so I’m gonna say no lol
I have heard that Matsui was considering MLB and went to New York with a friend to watch the Yankees post season and David Cone was pitching and Matsui said “I could hit that guy” which helped solidify his decision lol
In 2002 when the change was announced, Matsui openly said he hated them, and said "I wonder why those at the top don't value the club's traditions?"
He was fined by the club, and had a verbal spat with then-team president Tsuneo Watanabe. This is widely seen as the moment he decided to leave.
Since the story was published in the Yomiuri-owned Hochi Sports, the journalist who wrote the article, Isao Hirooka, was reassigned away from covering Matsui, which had been his role for 8 years.
Matsui immediately hired him as his publicist when he signed with the Yankees.
My guess is as long as that old cretin Watanabe is still kicking they won't.
If you think "old cretin" sounds harsh, that man nearly did irreperable damage to NPB on several occasions, and is one of the main reasons you can't watch the Central League in North America legally.
i need to figure out whoever designed those uniforms, and whoever made the decision to do that and send them a gift on behalf of yankee fans everywhere
You would be surprised by the amount of pull the Yomiuri Giants have.
To this day he and Koji Uehara are the only Japanese stars to leave them for MLB
In that time they've had several other generational talents suit up for them. None have left.
same for the guys that stayed with the Giants. One example is Hayato Sakamoto who is still playing for them to this day. He's put up 92 WAR (I think) so far in his career. Great career, won 2 rings and made nice money
Through a series of events that involves snow in April, I got to see his first major league home run, a grand slam. I'd say I'm not try to brag, but that'd be a lie.
We're #blessed to have been able to. Such a great role model for young fans and incredibly humble too. Carries himself so well. And his marriage announcement 😭😭
It's a ceremonial swing-and-a-miss -- the batter swings no matter where the ball goes. Sometimes it can be comical, as depending on the personality throwing the pitch, it can be in the dirt halfway to the plate, or over the backstop, and the batter will still take his cut.
All I can think of is "He used to play with the Giants" from Major League 2. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsqphs-7oVM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsqphs-7oVM)
Welllllll ackshually... In Japan the entire team is an ad. The team is known as the "Yomiuri Giants," not the "Tokyo Giants." Yomiuri in this case is a newspaper conglomerate. It is like the "Times Yankees." Because of baseball's wild popularity, all NPB teams are owned by companies and are seen as an advertising expense. Only one or two teams actually make money. The rest are written off like commercials.
So, the entire team is a commercial, so they don't need ad patches. But yes, these uniforms are tight as fuck.
They are actually wearing TG hats this year for their 90th anniversary on away games.
https://japan-baseball-jersey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024giants-playercap-away-flat.jpg
One of the teams is literally named for a ham and sausage company. I used to think "ham fighter" was just some weird translation of something from Japanese mythology lol.
I was so confused why his hair was so grey and he looked so young even when he retired. Then I saw that was over 10 years ago! Dang that made me feel old
I was confused for a second, thinking Detroit and SFG are in Japan for a series, and then realized these are Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers. That Giants uniform really fooled me
It’s so convenient for me that my favorite team’s rival in both MLB and NPB is the Giants. Thanks baseball
Are you an Eagles fan too?
I fucking hate the eagles man
\#FTD
and that they were playing at the Trop
You weren't the only one.
Why are the Giants jerseys both identical to each other? No copyright infringement?
1. The Yomiuri Giants were named after the New York Giants. 2. The Yomiuri Giants use the old-style "New York Giants" font, not the San Francisco Giants font (though they did use that font briefly in the late 70s) 3. They're not the only team to base their uniforms off those of an MLB team (Chunichi Dragons - LA Dodgers, Chiba Lotte Marines - Chicago White Sox, Hiroshima Carp - Cincinnati Reds) 4. Even if it were copyright infringement (which it's not), the time to complain would've been 90 years ago. 5. It doesn't infringe on the SF Giants' brand in any meaningful way shape or form. Also, you can't really police copyright on something that was inspired by something else, but is still legally distinct. For example, the Nishitetsu Lions' famous "NL" cap was based on the New York Yankees' "NY" cap. Lions shortstop Yasumitsu Toyoda (who'd planned on being a graphic designer before the Lions signed him) designed the logo and explicitly said he based it on the Yankees cap logo. When the Lions played the Yankees in an exhibition game after that season, the Yankees didn't care. Thus the Lions used it until Nishitetsu sold the club in 1972, and still sell the cap to this day (Hell, I own one)
Is Chiba Lotte’s uniforms really based off the White Sox or are you just saying that because they have the same colors?
The current Chiba Lotte Marines home jerseys were adopted in 1995 (though they briefly had a different design from 04-06) The designer explicity said he based them off the White Sox and the franchise's 1950-57 home jerseys, when they were called the Mainichi Orions. The original Orions jerseys were based off... the Yankees and White Sox. So yes, the Marines based their jerseys on the White Sox. Edits for clarity
Nice. Many thanks
Tbf the Tokyo version is white while the SF version is cream but i still see your point lol
I see it more as tipping their hat to the mlb
Matsui is there for "Nagashima Day", celebrating the achievements of Giants legend Shigeo Nagashima, who was the manager of the club when Matsui joined. He's actually the reason why Matsui signed with the Giants, as he intially expressed disapointment when he heard that the Giants had taken him in the draft (Matsui grew up a massive fan of the Hanshin Tigers, and idolized Tigers superstar Masayuki Kakefu growing up). Nagashima met with Matsui and implored him to sign... by essentially guilting him into it, basically telling him "I was the one who wanted to pick you, don't make me look like an idiot" The relationship was a fruitful one, as Matsui and Nagashima combined for two Japan Series titles in 1994 and 2000. After winning a third Japan Series title in 2002, Matsui left the Giants in free agency after they had made the decision to switch out "Tokyo" on their away uniforms for "Yomiuri". Matsui and Giants management had a massive falling out over this, and the Yomiuri-backed media would brand Matsui a traitor for leaving. Which only twisted the knife. The jerseys were massively unpopular, however, and poor sales and fan backlash finally led to them being dropped after 2004. They're still branded by some Giants fans as "the jerseys that cost us Matsui".
That is so interesting! I love hearing about Japanese baseball.
I love how these posts appear every morning they help promote and foster interest in NPB throughout America and other countries. Now if only they were easier to watch online...
If he left over the jerseys, he might just be my new spirit animal.
Was Chris Sale your old spirit animal?
Wait, there's no way that Matsui literally left because the jerseys changed, right?
There was already a strained relationship between him and the team after Nagashima retired, that was essentially the straw the broke the camel's back. The Giants were prepared to offer him the same contract the Yankees did. He said no.
I have literally never heard that before in my life so I’m gonna say no lol I have heard that Matsui was considering MLB and went to New York with a friend to watch the Yankees post season and David Cone was pitching and Matsui said “I could hit that guy” which helped solidify his decision lol
In 2002 when the change was announced, Matsui openly said he hated them, and said "I wonder why those at the top don't value the club's traditions?" He was fined by the club, and had a verbal spat with then-team president Tsuneo Watanabe. This is widely seen as the moment he decided to leave. Since the story was published in the Yomiuri-owned Hochi Sports, the journalist who wrote the article, Isao Hirooka, was reassigned away from covering Matsui, which had been his role for 8 years. Matsui immediately hired him as his publicist when he signed with the Yankees.
Ok but I’m sure that’s not why he decided to come to MLB is all I’m saying lol
I also wondered why the Giants haven’t retired his number. I guess this is why? lol
My guess is as long as that old cretin Watanabe is still kicking they won't. If you think "old cretin" sounds harsh, that man nearly did irreperable damage to NPB on several occasions, and is one of the main reasons you can't watch the Central League in North America legally.
i need to figure out whoever designed those uniforms, and whoever made the decision to do that and send them a gift on behalf of yankee fans everywhere
Did he actually leave over jerseys, or was it to...you know, go play for the Yankees in MLB?
You would be surprised by the amount of pull the Yomiuri Giants have. To this day he and Koji Uehara are the only Japanese stars to leave them for MLB In that time they've had several other generational talents suit up for them. None have left.
Both guys made a lot of money and won rings in MLB, though. Sounds worth it to me.
same for the guys that stayed with the Giants. One example is Hayato Sakamoto who is still playing for them to this day. He's put up 92 WAR (I think) so far in his career. Great career, won 2 rings and made nice money
Is there a YouTube on this that I can watch. That story is nuts
My man. 🐲
My WS MVP 🥹
Matsui is an absolute legend. Jealous that you guys got to watch him so much.
Through a series of events that involves snow in April, I got to see his first major league home run, a grand slam. I'd say I'm not try to brag, but that'd be a lie.
We're #blessed to have been able to. Such a great role model for young fans and incredibly humble too. Carries himself so well. And his marriage announcement 😭😭
Still looking good
fr. Was thinking he could definitely find work in Hollywood if he wanted
He was never stressed. Dude had dry ice in his veins.
He had a pretty robust stress relief system
Yamamoto would be a Yankee if Hideki'd offered to share his stress relief library with him
If he dyed his hair he’d look the exact same, mans been in his 40s his entire life
Somehow he looks younger now than in NY.
i really like that they have a guy at the plate in the batter's box.
It's a ceremonial swing-and-a-miss -- the batter swings no matter where the ball goes. Sometimes it can be comical, as depending on the personality throwing the pitch, it can be in the dirt halfway to the plate, or over the backstop, and the batter will still take his cut.
Except I bet Matsui could still strike this guy out
If he hits a home run, does it count?
I went to a Savannah Bananas game and CC Sabathia threw out the ceremonial first pitch, which actually counted. Ball outside. Pretty anticlimactic.
I miss seeing this guy. Loved Matsui during his Yankees years and it was amazing to see him go out with a World Series MVP and a ring.
Me and my homie used to call him Homerun Smack-sui because we'd play MLB The Show 09 and he'd crush a massive dong in every fucking big moment.
Seems accurate tbh
Godzilla
All I can think of is "He used to play with the Giants" from Major League 2. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsqphs-7oVM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsqphs-7oVM)
You have no. . . . MARBLES!
Huevos?
Matsui looking like he can still go. Nice to see him doing well.
I always really like matsui
this is the dude with a humungous porn collection right? not kink shaming just recall hearing that
Indubitably. 🐐 Collection.
[удалено]
Welllllll ackshually... In Japan the entire team is an ad. The team is known as the "Yomiuri Giants," not the "Tokyo Giants." Yomiuri in this case is a newspaper conglomerate. It is like the "Times Yankees." Because of baseball's wild popularity, all NPB teams are owned by companies and are seen as an advertising expense. Only one or two teams actually make money. The rest are written off like commercials. So, the entire team is a commercial, so they don't need ad patches. But yes, these uniforms are tight as fuck.
And the hat has a Y for the corporate owner, not a T for Tokyo
They are actually wearing TG hats this year for their 90th anniversary on away games. https://japan-baseball-jersey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024giants-playercap-away-flat.jpg
As a Tigers fan, even I have to admit those are some clean looking caps. Saw them in person when I was at Koshien during preseason.
One of the teams is literally named for a ham and sausage company. I used to think "ham fighter" was just some weird translation of something from Japanese mythology lol.
"Nippon Ham Fighters" is " 'Nippon Ham' Fighters," not "Nippon 'Ham Fighters.' "
That's what I was alluding to, yes
The team is actually the Ham Fighters.
Yomiuri is literally the newspaper company that owns the team and is on the sleeve. Every NPB team has a corporate name in their team name
I think Mizuno makes the NPB jerseys, yeah? I agree they look nice
Uhhhhhhh there’s literally an ad on the sleeve
Based on where that NPB logo is on the back, I think Fanatics made these too. I think it just helps there’s no name on the back.
... They are the exact same thing as the MLB jerseys dude.
As a Hanshin fan: *cries in JOSHIN*
Do they always have a guy in the batters box for first pitches in japan? Thats kinda badass.
Was a beautiful ceremonial cut too
Cashman, sign this guy!
God I love him, I have one of his foul balls that I’ve cherished for roughly 20 years now
Giants legend, salut
100% whiff rate 👑
This dude had/has a legendary prodigious pornography collection.
Attention fans. Tonight's first pitch will be thrown out by the retired Japanese Baseball Player and Legendary Porn Connoisseur Hideki Matsui!
underrated as fuk
Absolute legend
It's weird seeing a Giants 55 uniform that's not Tim Lincecum
RETIRE 55
I have never loved a player more than Godzilla 🐊. Don't think I ever will. Total package on and off, great role model and a hell of a swing.
Did the stand-in batter ever just rip on down the line or something?
Rays legend
Wait, is there normally a "batter" in Japanese baseball First Pitches, or was that special for Matsui? I kinda like it
Respect.
I miss that motherfucker so much
I’m so excited to see the Tokyo Giants play later this month. If anyone has suggestions for a first game in Japan, would love to hear them.
Idk why, but whenever I see Japanese shit I think, “it must be a perfect utopia over there, look how polite they all look”.
That's cool how they have a batter doing a fake swing/strike. Sort of like the ceremonial puck drop/fake faceoff at the start of a NHL game.
I was so confused why his hair was so grey and he looked so young even when he retired. Then I saw that was over 10 years ago! Dang that made me feel old
Thought the ump was checking his glove for sticky stuff.
Gogira! One of the reasons I fell in love with baseball. Love seeing Matsui pop up every now and then.
I bet his post retirement porn collection is massive.
Oh man idk why but I modeled my swing and stance after hideki! Playing 2k5 mlb on the ps2 and he became my favorite player
The tie-under-jersey look is insanely fresh
Do they always have a batter stand there? Dude is the Washington Generals of batters.
Do they always have a batter at the plate for first pitches?
I wonder how his porn collection is now
Yikes, in the freeze frame, I just saw the guy on the left, against a frame ... I thought it was a painting! I loved Matsui.
I was so confused and lost. Hideki Matsui, a Yankees legend, in a Giants uniform?! Then realized it’s Giants team in Japan. Phew 😅