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December 15, 2006 »

Matsuzaka takes the mound

The right-hander just walked onto the field with his agent, Scott Boras, Sox GM Theo Epstein, president/CEO Larry Lucchino and owner John Henry. Manager Terry Francona is watching from the stands.

Fenway Park is under construction and the outfield grass is covered with a tarp. The infield diamond is nice and green, and the mound is in game shape.

Henry is in the catcher's position and Matsuzaka just threw him a pitch. The owner, without a glove, missed it and fell backwards into a puddle.

The lights just came on and the Japanese contingent with Matsuzaka just handed Epstein, Lucchino and Henry a bag with a head bow.

The group is heading out to the Green Monster. Matsuzaka will likely sign the wall inside the famed scoreboard. . . Hey D-Mat, watch out for Manny droppings.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 3:52 PM | Permalink

Scene from Fenway Park

The invasion has officially begun.

The Red Sox are just about an hour away from introducing their new starting pitcher, right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Fenway is swarming with Japanese media _ print, televison and radio.

Fans are walking around the outside of the park with cameras. On the video board in center field it's reads: "Welcome to Boston." With a picture of the D-Mat.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 3:42 PM | Permalink

Browsing up on Matsuzaka

A few things I've found poking around the Internet today:

Here's a link to Daisuke Matsuzaka's career stats in Japan.

Click here to see a grainy video of Matsuzaka hurling for the Seibu Lions, and a goofy diagram comparing the gyroball, the mythic Matsuzaka trick pitch, with a standard curveball and slider.

For more about Japanese baseball in general, Bob Bavasi's JapanBall.com has lots of facts and some cool pictures. I love those mascots in the photo gallery.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:26 PM | Permalink