Posted by Michael Street on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 1:25 am

His .615 average, 3 HRs and 7 RBI led the Yankees, and his 6 RBI tonight were the most by any player since Bobby Richardson, ho accomplished the feat nearly fifty years ago in 1960.

He drove in 21% of the 33 runs scored by his team.

He didn’t start in the three games in Philadelphia, but he still made an impact there, going 2-3 with a solo homer.

Small wonder, then, that Hideki Matsui was named the first full-time designated hitter MVP in World Series history.

He also becomes the first Asian player to be named World Series MVP, a real landmark for Eastern baseball and a great sign for Matsui as he heads into the offseason as a free agent.

It’s unlikely he’ll return to the Yankees, who are looking for more youth and flexibility in their lineup; Matsui was not only a full-time DH in the Series, he was a DH all year long.

Still, there are plenty of American League teams who will be lining up to ink Matsui, who has said he could also shift to first base to save his knees.

Wherever he ends up, he’ll arrive as a groundbreaking player on two fronts, with a wealth of postseason experience. (he also won three Japan Series with the Yomiuri Giants).