Matsui Decides Pinstripes Suit Him Best

Hideki Matsui, intent on wearing the famous Yankee pinstripes, became the biggest Japanese baseball star to join the major leagues, reaching a preliminary agreement Thursday on a $21-million, three-year contract with New York.

“I was nervous for a while because it hadn’t been decided what team I would play for,” Matsui said at a news conference in Tokyo. “Now, I’m relieved and ready to give my best.

“The Yankees have a great baseball tradition and great players. It’s the ballclub that would most challenge me. That’s where I wanted to show my abilities.”

A three-time most valuable player of Japan’s Central League, the 28-year-old power-hitting outfielder seemed set on joining the Yankees since August, when New York sent its assistant general manager to Tokyo to scout him.

The Yomiuri Giants, who drafted Matsui in 1993, were said to have offered a $33-million, four-year deal to keep him.

Matsui had a .304 average in Japan with 332 homers in 1,268 games, and led the Central League last season with 50 homers.

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Greg Maddux accepted Atlanta’s offer of salary arbitration, the equivalent of signing a one-year deal for the 2003 season. The four-time Cy Young Award winner had been a free agent.

Unless they agree on a contract, Atlanta and Maddux will exchange proposed salaries for a one-year deal in January and will argue their cases before arbitrators the following month.

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Unable to find an acceptable deal on the free-agent market, catcher Ivan Rodriguez is exploring a possible move to Japan.... Cleveland signed pitcher Jason Bere to a $1-million, one-year contract.... Right-hander Terry Adams accepted salary arbitration with Philadelphia.... Reliever Antonio Alfonseca and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $4-million, one-year contract.... Outfielder Ricky Ledee agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with the Phillies.... Former major league manager Whitey Herzog underwent heart triple-bypass surgery and was recovering in St. Louis hospital’s intensive-care unit.