By Thom Henninger
After losing both John Lackey and Chone Figgins earlier this month, the Los Angeles Angels signed World Series MVP Hideki Matsui last week. Signing the veteran designated hitter probably means Vladimir Guerrero’s days as an Angel are over.
If history means anything, the Angels have made the right move in adding Matsui. The former Yankee has enjoyed success in his new home park, with eight home runs and a .553 slugging percentage in just 28 games in Anaheim.
In fact, Matsui, who is a career .300 hitter in AL West ballparks, has been productive in all four AL West venues:
Hideki Matsui in AL West Stadiums, Career
| AL West Park | G | PA | 2B | HR | RBI | Hit Percentages |
| Angels | 28 | 118 | 3 | 8 | 19 | .272/.350/.553 |
| Athletics | 22 | 98 | 5 | 4 | 17 | .306/.367/.529 |
| Mariners | 27 | 119 | 10 | 5 | 15 | .312/.361/.541 |
| Rangers | 20 | 90 | 9 | 4 | 14 | .316/.422/.592 |
Even pitcher-friendly ballparks in Oakland and Seattle haven’t stifled Matsui’s West Coast production. The Angels still have work to do after losing two key players to free agency this month, but Matsui is likely to reach base consistently, show decent power and figure prominently in his team’s run production.
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