from the post:

To see Matsui play short is different than any shortstop you've seen before. There is a flow to his defense. Said one Japanese reporter following the action yesterday, "He moves like a Ninja."

There is good reason for that. Matsui goes through a long workout in the stadium before and after practice, a workout that incorporates Tai Chi-like movements. Watching him, you can just feel the flow of internal energy. All that's missing is David Carridine.

Matsui uses the slow, powerful movements designed for him by a trainer from Japan to not only improve his strength and flexibility, but to realign his body after a hard day at the office.

"It serves three purposes," explained Matsui through interpreter Nozomo Matsumoto. "It serves as weight training, also as a cool down and it also puts my body back the way it should be, aligning it."