Just as American players in Japan are often viewed more critically than natives, Matsui is getting little sympathy in New York. He batted a respectable .272 last season and has a higher batting average than Mike Piazza this year, yet he has become the biggest target for frustrated fans since Roger Cedeño was chased out of New York.He may have been "respectable" last year, but Met fans were led to believe they were getting great. This year he's been awful.
When Matsui says that he does not regret signing with the Mets and believes the jeers have nothing to do with his being Japanese, it is hard to tell if he is being serious or diplomatic.
Maybe if Matsui had been one of the all time great players for the Mets, had led them to the World Series and was finishing up a great career he'd get the respect and patience that Met fans show Piazza. But, Matsui is young and a flop. He's a failure in New York and nothing is more unforgivable. It has nothing to do with his being Japanese.
