Hideki Matsui and his 163 Games Played

[oulevon]

I noticed this while I was browsing the Bill James Handbook, and then further confirmed it on Rotoworld.com and Espn.com, USA today, and Rotowire. According to all the aforementioned sources, Hideki Matsui played in 163 games last year. The last time I checked it was a 162 game season. He was never traded, and he's the only player with more than 162 games played in both leagues, so I don't think these include playoff games. Any ideas?

[denvermax]

if there was a rainout and the game had to be made up would that count as two games?
lol, i dont think so, but only reason i can think of

[oulevon]

I don't think that's possible. The only way I can see it happening is if a player is traded during the season. It's really strange. I thought it was a typo, and didn't think anything of it, and then I noticed somewhere else, and then I checked all the other places. It's weird.

[Arlo]

As far as I know, Matsui did in fact reach 163. I think Jim Rice was the last player not traded during a season to do so, but I'm not sure about that one.

(In any case, it's not a record. )

[Jivedude]

How? There wasn't a one game playoff this year, right?

[Arlo]

The Yankees-Orioles game on the day hurricane Isabel hit was counted as a five-inning tie, but made up later in a double-header. But don't ask how the decision to reschedule was reached - I'm afraid I'm at a loss there...

[denvermax]

How? There wasn't a one game playoff this year, right?

nope

[kentx12]

I noticed this while I was browsing the Bill James Handbook, and then further confirmed it on Rotoworld.com and Espn.com, USA today, and Rotowire. According to all the aforementioned sources, Hideki Matsui played in 163 games last year. The last time I checked it was a 162 game season. He was never traded, and he's the only player with more than 162 games played in both leagues, so I don't think these include playoff games. Any ideas?

That is very observant. I have never heard of this.

[StLrEdBiRdS2004]

very interesting. Arlo, good reason.

[TheYanks04]

As arlo noted the rain out game vs BAltinore that was declared a tie by rule was indeed re-played. MAtsui was in every game and hence the 163. Nothing unusual about it except the oddity of someone actually playing in every game and on COmrade Bud and his trusted henceman Angelos trying to do everything they can get away witht o screw over the Yankees. Yeah lets play that game in a Hurricane...What the Yanks need to catch aplane...tough.