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Second chance is all Matsui is seeking

Ex-Rockie in position to carry on storied tradition

By Gerry Fraley, Special To The News

Published April 18, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Kazuo Matsui is following in some big footsteps as the second baseman for the Houston Astros, in particular potential Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Kent.

Photo by Bob Levey / Associated Press

Kazuo Matsui is following in some big footsteps as the second baseman for the Houston Astros, in particular potential Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Kent.

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Kazuo Matsui left the Rockies during the offseason for a mixed bag.

Houston gave him a three-year deal worth $16.5 million. With the riches comes the challenge to match the potential Hall of Famers who have played second for the Astros for a generation.

Proving time is scheduled to start tonight. Houston expects Matsui to come off the disabled list and make his eagerly awaited Astros debut, in a reunion game against the Rockies at Minute Maid Park.

Matsui played the previous 11/2 seasons with the Rockies and was prominent in their run to the World Series. He insisted he left the club carrying nothing but good memories.

"It was very difficult to leave Colorado," Matsui said through his interpreter. "I had to think long and well about it.

"The way the team came together last year, playing in the World Series. I'll always remember that."

Rich tradition

Matsui acknowledged he revived his career while with the Rockies. He had flamed out with the New York Mets, and the Rockies asked him to replace journeyman Jamey Carroll.

It will not be that simple with the Astros.

Houston expects big things from the second baseman. The club has featured a likely Hall of Famer at second since 1992.

Craig Biggio started the line of succession when he moved from catcher and made the National League All-Star team in his first season at the position.

From 1992 to 2002, Biggio made the All-Star team six times and won four Gold Gloves as the NL's best defensive player at the position and four Silver Sluggers as the league's top offensive player at the position.

Biggio switched to center field when the Astros acquired Jeff Kent for 2003. In two seasons with the Astros, Kent made the All-Star team once and added to the numbers that make him the top offensive player at the position all time.

When Kent departed, Biggio returned to second base. In his final three seasons, Biggio strengthened his Hall of Fame candidacy by helping the Astros reach the World Series for the first time in 2005 and getting to 3,000 hits last season.

And now comes Matsui, who will be compared with the retired Biggio.

With 16 games missed, Matsui is off to a slow start. In Biggio's last 18 seasons, he averaged fewer than 15 games missed per year.

"I'm feeling pressure," Matsui said of replacing Biggio. "But I've got to play to my capabilities and express myself the way I can."

That means the Astros will not have a power threat at second base for the first time since Casey Candaele, who hit four home runs in 1991. Biggio and Matsui have markedly different skills, Astros manager Cecil Cooper said.

Biggio was a leadoff hitter with power, reaching double figures for homers in 14 seasons. His defense had declined at the finish.

Matsui is a better defender. He also is a situational hitter with speed, best suited to bat second behind rapid Michael Bourn.

New general manager Ed Wade envisioned the Bourn-Matsui combination at the top of the order invigorating the Astros much as the Willy Taveras-Matsui pairing lifted the Rockies. On the way to 89 losses last season, the Astros morphed into a plodding club.

"We needed to add speed," Wade said. "That became task No. 1."

Cooper wants to use more of a speed-based offense. Houston had fewer than 80 stolen bases in each of the past two seasons. The Astros managed only 65 steals last season, the club's lowest full-season total since stealing 64 in 2001.

"We certainly have more speed at the top than we've had in a while," first baseman and No. 3 hitter Lance Berkman said. "A lot of what we do is going to be predicated on what those two guys at the top do."

Being himself

With Matsui on the disabled list since spring training because of hemorrhoid surgery, the offense has remained stagnant. In their 6-10 start, the Astros are averaging 3.8 runs per game.

The Astros could ask Matsui to immediately jump-start the offense. With Bourn struggling in his first extended exposure to the leadoff spot, Cooper might have Matsui bat first.

That would fan the comparisons with Biggio. During spring training, Cooper talked with Matsui about replacing a franchise icon. Cooper's message was direct.

You are Kazuo Matsui and must play like Kazuo Matsui, not Craig Biggio.

"We want him to do what he does, be the kind of player we think he is," Cooper said. "He's a good player and knows how to play the game. He's had success. It's going to be an adjustment for him, but baseball is baseball."

That means change is constant. Kazuo Matsui can say goodbye and hello at the same time tonight.

Where are they now?

Second baseman Kazuo Matsui was the most prominent member of a group of players who left the Rockies after last season. The whereabouts of some of the others:

* JEREMY AFFELDT: Signed with Cincinnati because the Reds offered him a chance to be a starter. Returned to bullpen after rough spring-training performance and serves as late-innings left-hander.

* JAMEY CARROLL: Utility infielder with Cleveland. Could get increased playing time at second because of good work on defense and starter Asdrubal Cabrera's struggles at plate.

* JOSH FOGG: Beat out field that included highly regarded prospect Homer Bailey for final spot in Cincinnati's rotation. Is 6-3 with 16 home runs allowed in 67 career innings at Great American Ball Park.

* JORGE JULIO: Fell behind early in spring training because of visa problems but finished strongly to win final spot in Cleveland bullpen. An alternative at closer if Joe Borowski's problems continue.

* RODRIGO LOPEZ: Unsigned and recovering from multiple surgeries on right arm in August. Is expected to miss entire season.

* LaTROY HAWKINS: Rough first week with New York Yankees. Booed during introductions at home opener for having uniform number 21, last worn by local favorite Paul O'Neill. Allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning during second appearance, at home. Bowing to fan pressure, Hawkins switched to 22 this week.

Comments

  • April 18, 2008

    1:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mtnsrfer writes:

    1:38 in the A.M.

    Bottom of the 20th

    1 out

    2 outs

    3outs

    lets see some offence in the top of 21!