JAPAN BASEBALL Another standout to test MLB

Shortstop Kazuo Matsui announced today he'll pursue the major leagues.
TOKYO (AP) -- Another Japanese baseball standout wants to play in the major leagues.
Seibu Lions shortstop Kazuo Matsui, a seven-time All-Star in Japan, said today at a news conference that he's decided to pursue a big league career in North America.
"It's been my dream to play in the majors," Matsui said. "This represents a new challenge for me."
Matsui, 28, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki.
Kazuo Matsui is a free agent and can sign with any big league team that wants him. Several clubs, including the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, are said to be interested in the speedy switch-hitter.
Known as "Little Matsui," he is not related to Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who came over from Japan before last season and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
The 5-foot-9 Kazuo Matsui batted .305 with 33 homers, 84 RBIs and 179 hits this year for the Lions. He spent several weeks mulling whether to remain in Japan or go to the majors.
"It was a tough decision to make," he said. "I wondered whether I should play at home or go overseas."
Watched playoff game
He traveled to New York after the season to watch a playoff game between the Red Sox and Yankees and returned to Japan saying he was impressed with the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium.
Kazuo Matsui's departure would be another in a series of marquee players to leave Japan for the major leagues. Others include Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo and Mariners reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki.
Kazuo Matsui was a key member of Japan's national team that recently won three straight games at the Asian championship to clinch a spot in the Athens Olympics.