JAPANESE SLUGGER HIDEKI MATSUI FILE PHOTO, 2002-11-17 (photo)

Hideki Matsui, widely considered to be Japan's best baseball player, will join the New York Yankees, ESPN reported on December 19, 2002. Matsui, who last month announced he was leaving the Yomiuri Giants to play in the major leagues, has agreed to a three-year contract with the Yankees, according to ESPN. Yomiuri executives offered Matsui a four-year, $32 million contract to stay in the Japanese League, but Matsui apparently elected to play in America. Matsui's contract with the Yankees will be worth $21 million, although it could include performance bonuses and an option for a fourth season, ESPN reported. Matsui watches a fly ball hit by a teammate before his turn at bat at the Tokyo Dome, in this November 17, 2002 file photo. REUTERS/Kimimasa Mayama/files ME