Go, Go, Godzilla

There is a major difference between Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez can you spot it?

Are you having trouble? Let me give you a few clues.

It has to do with notoriety. No I'm not talking about the kind you get from late night trysts with Strippers that are used to getting paid in Loonys, while listening to Rush with the faint smell of two day old back bacon hanging in the air. In fact, I'm not even talking about the publicity you get from a messy divorce or the subsequent publicity bump you get from dating the daughter of a talented actress.

All of those things do bring notoriety, but ARod isn't the only person to get some notoriety for his extracurricular activities. Have you forgotten all the press Matsui got when he showed everybody a picture of his wife. It was the first time anyone had ever seen a picture of his wife...and he drew it. What? No I'm not joking the only picture of Matsui's special lady was sketched by MATSUI! No Paparazzi Photos, no full page spreads in Maxim, not even a side bar shot in Red Book. One sketch drawn by Hideki, that's it. And anyway that's not even the notoriety I'm talking about.

How can I give you a hint that will- Ahh, I've got it. Only one of them will will be credited and remembered for their dedication to their team and the sacrifices made in an effort to bring pride and honor to his hometown.

No, not Matsui's decision to represent his homeland of Japan in the World Baseball Classic. I mean I know that Matsui insisted on playing in the first WBC despite being injured. Sure he felt representing the country where he was born and raised, where he learned how to play the game that he still loves, was more important than being healthy for the million dollar incentives available to him with the Yankees.

No point in bringing that up because ARod basically did the same thing. Because when you think about it ARod was super generous when he played for the Dominican Republic, a team he coincidentally thought had the best chance of winning, despite having never VISITED the place. It's sort of the same thing, right.

No it's neither of those things. Let's see how shall I ease into this?

Ok maybe my clues are too vague. The major difference between ARod and Godzilla has to do with the respect. I know what you're thinking, but no I'm not talking about respect for the game. Although sure Matsui plays the game hard, congratulates his teammates, works the count to tire the pitcher, goes the other way to advance the runner and travels with the rest of the guys.

I'm not saying that ARod is out for himself and doesn't have the same respect for the game, but only one of those guys has been known to yell at opposing players during a routine pop-up, attempt to slap a ball out of the first basemen's glove following a weak ground out with runners in scoring position and, if you watched the game last night, only one of them faked being hit by a pitch on ball four just so he could look like a scrappy ball player. Pathetic.

No, I'm talking about being recognized for excellence on the biggest stage. Only one of these two men can call themselves World Series MVP.

Congrats Hideki Matsui for being named the 2009 World Series MVP. Now get outta here, buy some champagne and draw your wife...a bath.