Matsui “Godzilla” Hideki is doing well for the New York Yankees these days. Following a less than spectacular start to the season, he’s been on a bit of a tear lately, hitting his second grand slam, batting .500 for the week to earn the American League’s weekly MVP award – the first for a Japanese player in two years. He also leads the Yankees in hitting (.304) and has moved up next to fellow countryman Ichiro in the All-Star game voting.
• Former sumo Yokozuna (Grand Champion) turned stablemaster Takanohana has sued three publishing companies for ¥400 million over stories linking him with yakuza syndicates and suggesting that he is hugely in debt.