Matsui signs one-day contract and retires as a Yankee

Hideki Matsui signed a one-day minor-league contract with the New York Yankees early before Sunday's tribute honoring the popular former player with a Bobblehead Day against the Tampa Bay Rays. Shortly after, Matsui then signed his retirement papers during a pre-game ceremony on the field so he would retire as a New York Yankee.

The pre-game festivities included a video tribute to Godzilla on the Yankee Stadium center field video board, a ride in a golf cart down the third base line, and a matted and framed 2009 No. 55 Yankees jersey presented to Matsui by Derek Jeter. His mother and father joined the 2009 World Series MVP on the field. Matsui capped off the ceremony by throwing out the first pitch.

Hideki Matsui signs 1-day contract with #Yankees: pic.twitter.com/cjfLJHcNYq
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 28, 2013

Matsui played 11 seasons in MLB, seven with New York. The left-handed slugger hit .282/.360/.462 with 175 home runs.

Yankee fans might be even happier than Matsui that he retired in pinstripes. He is still one class guy.