He’s started 85 games for us and we knew about the back issues when we signed him..

Most of his games missed was due to more of a fluke injury.. not his back.

Besides, he’s been very good for us this season. I’m happy he’s on the team.

He has given the Astros everything they expected, IMO. The contract may have been too long…I’m not sure that Matsui will be doing this in his third year. But for now, I like Matsui on the team. Kaz has a .904 OPS since the All Star Break; that makes him one of the better second basemen in the league over that period. HIs .765 season OPS is better than what he achieved in Colorado.

i think it’s safe to say the anal fissure falls into the category of “freak injury”. his back has been his recurring problem, but this is the first we’ve seen of it this year, and he only figures to miss a few games. so he’s fragile. he’s been great for us when he’s in the lineup.

would you rather have Tad Iguchi, who’s sucked this year when HE hasn’t been injured? or Burke and his .546 OPS? or Loretta, who aside from being too old to play everyday, just isn’t the player offensively or defensively that Matsui’s been this year.

get off it. Kaz has been a huge part of what success we’ve managed this year and i for one am glad he’s signed for next year.

a solid second base, and can and does act as a spark plug in the Astros lineup when he is leading off. He constantly slaps the ball to right field and gets into scoring position for the BLT (minus the Lettuce now) He is a good base runner and his speed adds to the Astros strength in that department. Berkman talked early about team chemistry being an issue, in reality, Cecil Cooper has under achieved with this Astros team. Keep this team together, and add starting pitching, then we have ourselves a World Series title.

I hope you overcome your stutter.