Obviously, the Latin heartthrob and the Japanese ... uh, guy are nearly indistinguishable in person, but that's why they wear numbers on their jerseys. But Sterling was clearly aware that Matsui was the hitter since he said the man's name two seconds before he launched into his robotic "It's an A-Bomb from A-Rod" shtick. Still, his silky smooth recovery—"It would have been if Alex had hit it"—was a brilliant save. Way to keep your cool, Johnny.

And no, we don't think it was a subtle dig at Hiroshima survivors. Most Yankees fans got over their virulent hatred of the Japs years ago.

Oops: John calls an A-bomb... from Hideki [IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS... caught.]

Of course, he likes to watch his much vaunted porno collection, tapes that he often trades with Japanese reporters. As one Japanese journalist put it, describing Matsui's affinity for such unique Japanese cultural institutions like the no-panties shabu-shabu in Japan, "Matsui is a horny guy. All of us are horny, more or less. But Matsui doesn't attempt to hide the fact." Yet another win for the Japanese Everyman.

Uh ... well ... um ... Matsui! (By the way, nobody tell A-Rod about this. Please.)

Asian Heroes: Hideki Matsui [Time] (via AaronGleeman.com)