The March 29, 2003 Japan Today [link no longer available] reports on the results of a Japanese survey conducted by Dentsu Research Inc.
Only 30% of those polled expect Matsui to become American League Rookie of the Year.
76.4% of responadants expected Ichiro to be Rookie of the Year in a similar poll prior to the 2001 season.
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
So, in your honest opinion, who's more popular in the land of rising sun? Ichiro or Matsui? Nomo, Oh, and other Japanese would count, too. I don't live in Japan, but I would like to know which player is the most popular there.