Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui, the Japanese slugger who plays for the New York Yankees has decided to skip the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

“I could not erase my concerns that if I play, I might sacrifice the Yankees or the Japan team itself. In particular, I was worried that I might sacrifice my dream of making the Yankees world champions,” Matsui said in a statement released by the club.

“It’s a pity, but that’s his decision,” Oh told reporters.

Pressure was very heavy on Matsui to play for Japan. The Japanese team was keeping its final roster slot open for him, and as recently as December 15 Japan skipper and baseball legend Saduharu Oh told a press conference that he was 100% sure that Godzilla would be joining the Japanese squad.

I have to wonder whether Matsui’s decision to pass wasn’t influenced by a similar decision by Yankee teamate Alex Rodriguez who also will be sitting out the spring tournament.