PETE CALDERA

Staff Writer, @pcaldera

NEW YORK – Alone and unrecognized by Manhattan’s lunchtime crowd, former Yankee World Series champion Hideki Matsui walks into a West Side café and is led to a corner table.

“I knew compared to Japan, here I could have a more quiet life,’’ says Matsui, wearing a gray button-down sweater and jeans during a recent weekday afternoon interview with The Record. “Just a more natural lifestyle.’’

Matsui’s unnatural talents for slugging baseballs made him a superstar in his home country and a beloved figure in the Bronx.

Nearly five years after playing his last big league game, Matsui has an Upper West Side apartment and a home in Connecticut, where he and his wife are raising their American-born, 4-year-old son.

“As a family, we felt like this was the best environment to grow up,’’ he says between sips of water. “We’re actually looking forward to it.

“We speak Japanese in the house, but he’s going to school in an environment where English is spoken. So, we’re actually very curious as to how things work out.’’

Told that he’s become a real New Yorker now, Matsui smiles easily and says he’s not sure about that. Asked if he’s ever imagined being honored with a Monument Park plaque at Yankee Stadium – alongside some of his old teammates – Matsui breaks into a genuine laugh.

“I don’t think there’s even a remote possibility of that happening in my opinion,’’ he says. “Personally, I don’t think I’ve accomplished really anything to a point that those players accomplished.’’

OK, but how many players who hit .292 and averaged 20 homers and 85 RBI over seven Yankees seasons would spend the past year – as Matsui did – splitting time between Scranton, Pa., Trenton and Staten Island as a Yankees minor league roving hitting instructor?

It’s the kind of work that “I’d say most players don’t really have the interest in,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “As they transition from players, the front office or coaching commitment – especially for most superstars – it’s a culture shock.

“And in Matsui’s case, he’s a world-renowned superstar,’’ Cashman added. “He reminds me a little of Donnie Mattingly – a superstar but also an everyday regular guy, and he fits in really well.’’

Beginning work in those frigid early spring days, Matsui enjoyed watching the late-summer success of Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez – who finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting – and cheered the call-ups of younger players such as Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin.

“You know, it really makes you happy,’’ said Matsui, just as thrilled by a late-round pick’s promotion to another minor league level. “The organization may focus on certain players over others, but for me, I’m just happy to see any of them succeed.’’

As during his playing days, Matsui is comfortable with small talk in English. On this afternoon, Matsui’s longer answers are translated by the affable Roger Khalon, who assisted Matsui during his Yankee years.

Matsui communicates in English with his players, but says, “If there’s something special, something a little more important to detail, then I’d ask my interpreter to assist."

Asked if he’d like to see his own son pursue the game, Matsui doesn’t wait for the question to be translated.

“There’s a part of me that wants him to play. But as you continue to move up in levels, I know the difficulty and the challenges that come with it,’’ he says. “At the end of the day, it’s going to be his decision to make, how far he wants to go and whether he wants to pursue that avenue.’’

Cashman appreciates Matsui’s “great eye for talent’’ and the input he’s offered in player-evaluation meetings. As to continuing in his role with the organization, Matsui deferred to the Yankees.

But Cashman says, “It’s really up to him. We’ll take as much of him as we can get."

Crowned as the 2009 World Series MVP after the Yankees’ last championship, Matsui played three more seasons in three other cities. “I still felt like I wanted to continue playing with the Yankees. That didn’t quite happen and it wasn’t easy. It was difficult,’’ he said of not being re-signed in 2010.

“But from an objective standpoint, I fully understand their decision, too.’’

Matsui isn’t sure yet how deeply he’ll pursue his baseball interests. He hasn’t considered an ownership role, a long-held dream of his pal, Derek Jeter – who has long considered Matsui one of his favorite teammates.

“I’m sure Derek has his aspirations and his goals for that, but for me particularly, I don’t have a specific plan,’’ Matsui said. “I think the first step is to really find a passion for something. Once I find that passion, whether that’s instructing, managing a team – whatever it is – I think a clearer path would develop from that.’’

Count the last Yankees captain among those who will bet on Matsui’s next victory.

“Not only was he successful in Japan [but] he came over to the United States and did the exact same thing,’’ Jeter told reporters last year at a charity event with Matsui in Tokyo.

“He has a lot of knowledge," Jeter said, "and will be able to share that with as many people as he wants to.’’