TAMPA – George Steinbrenner made a beeline for Hideki Matsui’s locker yesterday, bowing reverently in Japanese custom before complimenting Matsui on his more muscular look.

With both hands placed on Matsui’s broad shoulders, Steinbrenner added, “There won’t be all the pressure on you this year. You’ll do great.” The Boss usually gets right to the point, and this was no different.

A year after beginning his highly scrutinized inaugural season in the United States, Matsui has been an afterthought due mainly to Alex Rodriguez’s arrival. Yes, Godzilla has flown under the radar.

And from the looks of it, the normally serious superstar is having a blast.

“I’ve been able to relax a little more and been able to have a little more fun,” Matsui said through his translator.

Matsui has the peace of mind that goes along with a season of experience. Not to mention that A-Rod and Met shortstop Kazuo Matsui have been the hot stories this spring in the American and Japanese press, respectively.

Yankees media relations director Rick Cerrone said the number of media credentials has shrunk about 30 percent from 2003.

“Actually, the number of the media is not directly correlated with the pressure of performing well,” Matsui said. “At least, that’s my perspective.

“The pressure that comes from the outside, that’s something that I cannot control at all . . . As far as the pressure I place inside that I put on myself, that’s not going to change from last year.

“I look forward to doing well.”

Godzilla changed his physique this offseason, adding five pounds of muscle (seemingly in his upper body). The 29-year-old insists it wasn’t to improve his power numbers. Last year, he batted .287 and drove in 106 runs with 16 homers. He hit 50 homers with the Yomiuri Giants in 2002.

“I haven’t really focused on trying to get big,” Matsui said. “I haven’t really changed my routine that much.”