Matsui married (secretly); Jeter next?

Evidently there was a bet in the Yankee clubhouse and now Jeter's on the clock!

In what was apparently a surprise to nearly everyone, Hideki Matsui 'snuck' back to NYC to secretly get married to an unnamed, unidentified Japanese woman. Matsui said only that she is “a 25-year-old civilian and had been formerly working in a reputable position at a highly respected company.” They met in Japan after the 2006 off-season.

It was a cute story, but then it took a hilarious turn. Peter Abraham of the Journal News asked if Derek Jeter would be the next to get married.

“We’ve got a bet going,” Matsui replied. “If he doesn’t get married within a year, I win the bet. Basically the bet was, whoever gets married first wins. Jeter said he himself doesn’t have a girlfriend, so he’s getting a one-year handicap.”

Back in the clubhouse, we found Jeter and told him the news about Matsui. Jeter, who loves to say that he’s never surprised by anything, was genuinely shocked. Turns out Matsui had played him for a fool.