Yankees: The ultimate list of John Sterling’s home run calls

HIDEKI MATSUI: “IT’S A THRILLA…FROM GODZILLA!”

There have been many Yankees over the years that have caught the admiration of fans around the world, such as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez and even Brett Gardner! But no player had the unique relationship that Hideki Matsui had with Yankee fans.

Coming over from Japan in 2003, Matsui immediately made an impact by launching a Grand Slam in the Yankees home opener against Minnesota. Godzilla would go on to hit .287 that year and play in all 163 games played that season for the Yanks and would follow it up with back-to-back seasons where he would play in all 162 games in ’04 and ’05.

Matsui’s most significant contribution to the club wouldn’t happen until the 2009 season, when the left-handed slugger was the focal point in bringing home championship No. 27 with his three home runs in the World Series, and six RBI performance in Game 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies, gifting him the World Series MVP trophy.

Unfortunately, 2009 was also the last season in which Matsui donned the pinstripes, and the last season in which Yankee fans listening on WFAN Radio got to hear John Sterling say, “It’s a thrilla, by Godzilla!” Matsui would become known as “Godzilla” over the years by fans due to the call and has since been one of the more revered Sterling calls of all time.