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Matsui's Apology

Posted by Donald J. Trump on 5/22/2006 at 11:18 AM

Chairman, Trump University

Recently, Yankee player Hideki Matsui injured his wrist during a diving catch in a game against the Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Yankees ended up losing the game.

When Matsui was told he probably would have to sit out most of the season, he didn't throw a tantrum, didn't curse, didn't sulk. The first thing he did was to apologize.

He said, "I feel very sorry and, at the same time, very disappointed to have let my teammates down. I will do my best to fully recover and return to the field to help my team once again."

Matsui's injury ended a 1,768-game playing streak that included 1,250 games with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

Matsui also thanked Yankee manager Joe Torre for putting him in the lineup every day and keeping that playing streak alive.

Joe, who is a friend of mine and a great manager and leader, wasn't surprised by the apology. He said Matsui has apologized in the past whenever he's made an error during a game. He really feels committed to his team and to his job.

Imagine if every employee felt that way about his or her job. Imagine if they had that kind of loyalty and apologized every time something went wrong. That would really be an ideal world and boy would we be surrounded by great people.

Hideki Matsui did the right thing. He's a great guy, a great player, and he will be back. We really appreciate him.

Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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12 Comments

Posted by Jerilynn on 05/22/2006 1:16 PM

Trump what can I say? You're a great man.

Posted by Mark Fidelman on 05/22/2006 1:29 PM

Matsui is remarkably unselfish and carries the Japanese tradition of "team". A question,if he were on the Apprentice, would Matsui have been fired for getting injured on the job and then apologizing in the board room (thus admitting his failure)?

Posted by David Scott on 05/22/2006 8:46 PM

Likewise, it would be just as extraordinary to work for and around those who are just as accountable as Matsui. He's a man of integrity and a role model.

Posted by *f*i*r*e*f*l*y* on 05/23/2006 5:49 AM

Matsui Tsu(m)a(n)i:-)))))))))

Posted by Mary Rose Murrin on 05/23/2006 6:57 AM

Matsui injured himself trying his best at the game. There was absolutely no reason to apologize. It is fine to feel sorry that he let his teammates down, as long as we honor him for doing his best. There was a time in my life when I apologized to everyone for everything. Someone would hit me in the face, and I'd apologize for provoking them. My whole life, there were people in my life who wanted me to be responsible for their bad behavior- as a result- "I'm sorry" was almost an automatic reaction. If you do you absolute best in sports, you will have debilitating injuries. It's part of the game- just look at Barbaro. As fans, we need to appreciate those who get hurt as much as those who stay in the game. And if they apologize- we need to remind them that they did not let their teammates down- they honored their team with their valiant effort. And as a society, we need to lavish as much praise and as much attention on our fallen heroes who fell because they did their absolute best to help their team. So here's to Matsui- Let us all pray for a swift and complete recovery- and give him the same love and attention- maybe he even than before- until he gets back on his feet. That's how we should treat our heroes.

Posted by Marti M on 05/23/2006 9:00 AM

Amen! I often wonder what happened to work ethics. My first job was at McDonald's when I was in HS. I took my training very seriously and carried it out thoughout my life. This was because I came from a well disaplined home and I was taught to respect my superiors in Catholic school. When ever I go to a fast food resturaunt today (20 years later)I am shcoked and appauled

Posted by Rockit on 05/23/2006 3:25 PM

An apology is given when something wrong is done. "I'm sorry I was late", "I'm sorry I broke the vase", "I'm sorry I forgot your birthday." What happened to Matsui was an unintentional accident, and not something he should apologize for. It wasn't his fault. Simply recovering quietly is good enough. Personally, I believe that a work force filled with people apologizing for mistakes would be a work force that advertises incompetence.

Posted by Gur on 05/23/2006 3:47 PM

[Imagine if every employee felt that way about his or her job.]

Come on, Donald! Imagine if every employer felt that way about his or her employees. Isn't it a two-way street?

I certainly appreciate and share your views on Matsui's work ethic and accountability. But I hope you're not promoting blind loyalty. That didn't get the Japanese economy very far over the past decade; and certainly doesn't solve the issues plaguing the most vulnerable of workers.

Posted by Larry Gessner on 05/24/2006 5:25 PM

Mr. Trump thank you for posting that story. I can remember how fasinated I was when I learned about how the people of Japan teach business school.Perhaps you could share some thoughts on that. I realize what you are trying to convey in that story.

Posted by Lucas Wynne on 05/24/2006 9:10 PM

I'm sure if every employer paid their employees the same as a professional baseball player gets paid, most would have the same attitude.

What I really want to be is a country music singer. It's what I love. After I make it, I'd like to some day own a restaurant. One things for sure, even the lowest position at my business would get paid more than minnimum wage and get a good Christmas bonus. If I was a successful touring act, I wouldn't even care if my establishment turned a profit, it would just be for fun.

Posted by Glenn Davies on 05/25/2006 5:05 PM

Some of the comments here have clearly missed the point of Matsui's apology. The point is, of course he didn't need to apologize, but he did anyway.

The apology is evidence of a humble person (regardless how much money they are paid and regardless of whether or not they work for a generous boss or in an employee friendly environment), as well as a person who takes his responsibilities seriously.

Mr. Trump is right about this as well. If all workers, employees, team members were as dedicated as a Matsui, their employer would either become a better and more generous employer or their competition would learn about Matsui and steal him away. I know I would.

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 11/30/2008 10:48 AM

A sincere apology, when we mess things up, doesn't diminish competence as long as we take measures to correct the error and learn from our mistakes. It shows character. If we are apologizing with great frequency, we probably need to re-evaluate what is going on.

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