Report: Red Sox, Matsuzaka agree to deal

[riverside sluggers]

RJ fell apart in NY because he was way past his prime (mentality & effectiveness of pitches aged as well) and had a nagging back

[ORS]

even the best of them have rough stretches and even the best have trouble with adjustments. Dont put out a statement about this kid that makes him sound inhuman. He is human' date=' he will have his down games and he will be flappable at times, just like every player is. Hell, RJ fell apart in NY and he is headed to the HOF. It isnt crazy, it is a fact of life.[/quote']

I refer you to your comments about Wang.

 

Done, and done.

[example1]

even the best of them have rough stretches and even the best have trouble with adjustments. Dont put out a statement about this kid that makes him sound inhuman. He is human' date=' he will have his down games and he will be flappable at times, just like every player is. Hell, RJ fell apart in NY and he is headed to the HOF. It isnt crazy, it is a fact of life.[/quote']

 

There's a huge difference between RJ falling apart at the age of 43 and a 26 year old in his prime who has dominated at every level. Yes, every player has bad days. But the best players have far fewer than the worst. Johan Santana has the occasional game where he gets hit around, but they are few and far between. Same with Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay and the other best pitchers in baseball.

 

I'm not saying he's inhuman, I'm saying he'll be one of those pitchers who rarely has a bad start, a la most of the best pitchers in the game. This guy won't be average.

[TheKilo]

I refer you to your comments about Wang.

 

Done, and done.

 

:thumbsup:

[stevece80]

If he is having a good season at point of "if he loses 1st start in New York"' date=' ah I really dont think the entire stadium is gonna get ready to throw sushi at him[/quote']

 

Why would anyone throw expensive, delicious food at him? Hell, if the stadium were to be throwing sushi onto the field, I'd have to ponder ejection just for the sake (not the drink) of getting some free sushi.

 

On a side note, I ended up moving to Park Drive (pretty close to Boylston), where tenants will usually go onto the roofs to watch the games, since Fenway is a few minute walk away. I was a bit discouraged when I found out that the door onto the roof is locked, and there's a camera and a sign basically telling you "don't even think about it". I was hoping that I'd be able to justify a little of my $925 a month rent with the ability to catch games from the roof 81 times a year.

[NateGrey]

..

Matsuzaka slated for spring debut

 

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The countdown to Daisuke Matsuzaka's official Major League debut can begin.

 

Red Sox manager Terry Francona revealed Sunday that Matsuzaka will make his Spring Training debut against Boston College on March 2. The right-hander is expected to pitch in the second of two split-squad games, scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET at City of Palms Park.

 

The 26-year-old Matsuzaka arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday night for his first Spring Training with the Red Sox after eight professional seasons in Japan.

 

"I've played in Japan for eight years, but it's my rookie year, my first year here in the United States and in the Major Leagues, so I would stay humble," Matsuzaka said in his first formal Fort Myers press briefing on Thursday.

 

Matsuzaka, along with the other four projected starters, is among the pitchers scheduled for the first mound session of the spring Sunday morning at the Player Development Complex.

 

.....

> http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070218&content_id=1806096&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

.....

[schillingouttheks]

That game will be televised, no?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

That game will be televised' date=' no?[/quote']

 

If it isn't, NESN & the Sox will get incredible grief.

[a700hitter]

Crap! That's the one game I'll miss while I am down there. I'll be picking up my kids from the airport for the evening game. I really wanted to see his debut.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Crap! That's the one game I'll miss while I am down there. I'll be picking up my kids from the airport for the evening game. I really wanted to see his debut.

 

Have someone tape, Tivo, or DVD it for you.

[a700hitter]

Have someone tape' date=' Tivo, or DVD it for you.[/quote']...or have my wife pick up the kids, or they could cab it to the condo. They are 18 and 21. They can fend for themselves...right?

[Dana Kiecker]

Ill pick up your wife.. like you said the kids are on their own

[Sox Fan on Cape]

...or have my wife pick up the kids' date=' or they could cab it to the condo. They are 18 and 21. They can fend for themselves...right?[/quote']

 

I'd hope so.

[BSN07]

Ya the kids should be good to go A700, you cant miss the debut. I'm in Europe so I think theres no chanceof me seeing it LOL

[riverside sluggers]

sweet, 11 days and counting to see Matsuzaka pitch

 

It is spring training, but seeing this kid pitch for the first time in a Sox uni on tv is adrenaline pumping into me!

[Papelbon58]

I cant see it on TV, but I love XM Radio.

[riverside sluggers]

Dont have a link, sorry guys, the new pitching coach John Farrell has indicated that Matsuzaka is set to pitch the 3rd game of the season. That of course will be game 3 of a 3 game series at Kansas City. I guess the reason being the Sox dont want Matsuzaka's Fenway debut to also be the home opener, citing they want to tone down the frenzy as mcuh as they can. Whatever

 

First 3 series of season (estimated)

@ KC

April 2- Curt Schilling

April 4- Josh Beckett

April 5- Daisuke Matsuzaka

 

@ TEX

April 6- Jonathan Papelbon

April 7- Tim Wakefield (2nd year in a row he has had to start the season in a park that is his hell)

April 8- Curt Schilling

 

vs. SEA

April 10- Josh Beckett

April 11- Daisuke Matsuzaka

April 12- Jonathan Papelbon

[jacksonianmarch]

why is there always a day off after opening day? Its like giving you the best gift in the world then taking it away for a day.

[Cocos Disciples]

why is there always a day off after opening day? Its like giving you the best gift in the world then taking it away for a day.

 

My thoughts exactly. Baseball finally starts up, I get all excited, then I have another day without it.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

why is there always a day off after opening day? Its like giving you the best gift in the world then taking it away for a day.

 

April is notoriuos for rain and bad weather, those people that had tickets don't want to see another game that isn't the opener.

[SuperManny]

April is notoriuos for rain and bad weather' date=' those people that had tickets don't want to see another game that isn't the opener.[/quote']

 

Good call, imagine spending a ton of money on tickets for the opener to have it rained out and played later in the season.

[schillingouttheks]

Good call' date=' imagine spending a ton of money on tickets for the opener to have it rained out and played later in the season. [/quote']

 

That happened to me a few years ago against the Orioles. I was so pissed. And the worst part was, I couldn't even make the makeup date :thumbdown

[ImissPedro]

Wouldn't it make sense though with a day off between the texas series and seattle that schilling would be slotted for the home opener as well??

[riverside sluggers]

Id rather have Curt pitching on 5 days rest for game 3 vs texas, then 7 days of rest to pitch the home opener

[example1]

Saw this in the Globe:

 

I think that's an understatement," Francona said of Matsuzaka's long-toss session. "I've never seen someone throw the ball that long."

 

Francona said Matsuzaka was throwing at least 220 feet.

 

I imagine they mean pretty casual tossing session, because I imagine Francona has seen someone who can throw a baseball 73 yards before. However, that far without too much effort would be very impressive.

[NateGrey]

vs. SEA

April 11- Daisuke Matsuzaka

 

.. Japanese holiday ..

[BSN07]

Ya long toss is pretty casual, it just shows he has a strong arm.

 

Elway used to beable to throw a football the length of the field(100 yds, 300 ft for the kiddies) so its not unthinkable but its def. a good thing.

[jacksonianmarch]

long toss is a great way to build up arm strength and stretch out the entire shoulder. I think the Japanese may have something here. Very much into stretching and repeated motion. That is why they can throw so much.

[TheKilo]

long toss is a great way to build up arm strength and stretch out the entire shoulder. I think the Japanese may have something here. Very much into stretching and repeated motion. That is why they can throw so much.

 

Me throw long time!

[mar_022]

interesting article, i know its more insight, but its a much different angle

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-mlb_07_gyroball022107&prov=yhoo&type=lgns