Hideki Matsui does not know if he will ever play another game for the Yankees. The Yankees do not know if he will, either. If Matsui has played his final game with the team, he left the biggest stage in baseball in the same way he moved across it for seven seasons: professionally and exceptionally.

Matsui Leaves a Lasting World Series Memory

Matsui, the unflappable hitter, had a homer, a double, a single and also drove in six runs to help the Yankees stop the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-3, and win the World Series in six games Wednesday night. It is the first championship for the Yankees since 2000. After seven seasons, Matsui has his first World Series ring.

Even as Matsui tied Bobby Richardson’s World Series record with six runs batted in, he still moved around the field in a disciplined way. After each hit, Matsui barely smiled as he accepted congratulations. After each ovation, Matsui looked straight ahead or at his feet.