Yomiuri Giants outfielder Hideki Matsui and Seibu Lions infielder Alex Cabrera, Japanese baseball's home run kings, were named the Most Valuable Players of the 2002 season.
Alex CabreraMatsui led the Central League with 50 homers and 107 RBIs, helping Yomiuri win the league and Japan Series titles, while Cabrera played a key role in the Lions' successful Pacific League campaign as he matched the Japanese single-season home run record of 55.