{"id":241753,"date":"2026-05-23T16:10:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T16:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/241753\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T16:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T16:10:13","slug":"kazuma-okamoto-gets-special-gift-from-new-york-yankees-legend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/241753\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazuma Okamoto Gets Special Gift From New York Yankees Legend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> walked out of Yankee Stadium this week with a split of the four-game series with their American League East rivals, but rookie slugger Kazuma Okamoto<\/a> walked out with a true present as well.<\/p>\n

As posted by the Blue Jays “X” account, Okamoto was given a signed jersey and baseball from Yankees<\/a> legend Hideki Matsui. Both players are from Japan and both previously starred for the Yomiuri Giants before coming to North America. While seemingly a small gesture, it’s likely a big deal to Okamoto, who is the latest in the long line of Japanese players to come to the majors. Just recently, Yoshinobu Yakamoto and Roki Sasaki<\/a> have made the move, while Shohei Ohtani<\/a> came over before the 2018 season.<\/p>\n

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Okamoto, 30, signed a four-year deal worth $60 million this offseason and has played third base regularly. He’s hitting .213 with a .296 on-base percentage. He’s provided 10 homers, 27 RBIs and a .700 OPS entering play on Saturday. He had six seasons of 20+ home runs in Japan and also helped Team Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic crown.<\/p>\n

A 10-year major league veteran after arriving from Japan, Matsui spent seven years with the Yankees, one with the Los Angeles Angels<\/a>, one with the Oakland Athletics<\/a> and one with the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a>. A career .282 hitter, he was a two-time All-Star and MVP of the 2009 World Series, which is still the last title the Yankees have won.<\/p>\n

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In his MLB career, he hit 175 home runs and 249 doubles while driving in 760 runs. He had four seasons of 100 RBIs or more and also had five seasons of 20 homers or more.<\/p>\n

He is now 51 years old.<\/p>\n

After defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> on Friday night, the Blue Jays are now 24-27 on the campaign. The two teams will play again on Saturday afternoon at 3:07 p.m. ET as Paul Skenes<\/a> (PIT) pitches against Patrick Corbin<\/a> (TOR).<\/p>\n

Skenes, the defending Cy Young winner in the National League, is out to another great start at 6-3 with a 2.62 ERA. Corbin has filled in admirably despite all the injuries to the rotation, going 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA.<\/p>\n

\"TorontoToronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) throws out Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Jake Mangum<\/a> (28) at first base during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Speaking of injuries, Alejandro Kirk<\/a> has played just five games because of a broken left thumb. He’s working through his rehab and could begin a rehab assignment<\/a> late next week.<\/p>\n

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