Dice-K's Commitment to Pitching Well For WBC and not for the Red Sox.

[CoopSoxGM38]

Why does it seem that Dice-K was so committed to representing his country and pitching his way to the MVP of the WBC, when his commitment should have been to get ready to pitch for the team who is paying him millions of dollars. Two months of unproductive pitching, including a stint on the DL, not too mention the money they are paying him, is the price being paid because of his participation in the WBC. If he was so committed to representing his country and pitching in the WBC, he should have stayed in Japan instead of coming here and stealing the money. Right now, I feel like that's what he's doing.

And, why is it that he seems to be so stubborn on the mound when it comes to shaking off the catcher and basically pitching his own style when it is strongly suggested that he adapt a little more to baseball in the U.S.

I think it's time for Red Sox management to start being a little more firm with this guy. Who's the "employer"?

I don't know about anyone else but, now that he's beginning his 3rd season here, I'm expecting a lot more from this so called phenom.

Remember all the hoopla when acquiring him?

Yes, I know that he won 18 games last year, but he wasn't exactly dominant for all of those wins. He had a lot of run support.

I'd rather be waterboarded than watch him pitch.

As a fan, so far, I feel cheated.

Disappointed and Disgusted!

What's everyone else's opinion?

[BoSox21]

my opinion is that this shouldn't be in the GT forum

[Spudboy]

I'm disappointed too. Given the hype surrounding his acquisition, he has underperformed. He has shown that he has really good stuff at times. But he consistently puts too many men on base and has to work out of jams far too often. He is no more than a 3 or 4 guy in the rotation and likely will never be more than that. I don't feel cheated. But I believe the Sox FO over estimated his value and now are stuck with him.

I'd much prefer to see Buckholtz get another chance with the Sox than to watch Dice K squirm for 5 innings per game.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Show me one japanese player, not even pitcher, other than Ichiro that came here and lived up to the expectations they put up in Japan. I can't really think of one, and most have come and failed.

[BoSox21]

considering the Japanese league is worse than MLB, why would they do better? It's not as if they come here as 22-23 year olds either.

[Dojji]

Show me one japanese player' date=' not even pitcher, other than Ichiro that came here and lived up to the expectations they put up in Japan.[/quote']

 

http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com/Hideki%20Okajima%202.jpg

 

http://www.intd.net/scott/images/20070823blogsaito.jpg

[Spudboy]

Good examples. Then there's Matsui. He did alright. Otherwise, it's a valid observation.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Saito and Okajima turned out pretty good, but I'm talking those big signings like Dice-K.

[WhiskeyBreath]

The Sox need to grow a pair and tell their players not to participate in the WBC.

[BoSox21]

They can't "tell" their players not to participate in the WBC. They can try and convince them not to but there's nothing in the contract that prevents them from participating and I don't think the PA or MLB would ever go for such clauses.

 

It's like the NHL or NBA ordering their players not to participate in the Olympics.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I realize that but it would be nice to see them take Steinbrenners stance.

[TheKilo]

Saito and Okajima turned out pretty good' date=' but I'm talking those big signings like Dice-K.[/quote']

 

What "big signing guys" were there?

 

Ichiro

DiceK

Matsui

 

 

.....

[Dojji]

Hiroki Kuroda's doing fine for the Dodgers.

[TedWilliams101]

The problem is that Dice-K was hyped up way to much. We were all expecting to get a dominant Ace, someone who could contend for a cy young year in year out. Unfortunately, what we really have is a middle to back of the rotation type of guy. He's got the stuff, but these injuries and wildness are worrisome.

[jacksonianmarch]

Show me one japanese player' date=' not even pitcher, other than Ichiro that came here and lived up to the expectations they put up in Japan. I can't really think of one, and most have come and failed.[/quote']

 

Most people expected Hideki Matsui to come over here and be a 20-30 homer guy and they were right. You cannot say that a guy should perform just as well because the league isnt as good over in Japan. Thats like saying a guy in AA should dominate the bigs once he gets here. It just isnt the same.

[Keeper]

Koji Uehara

Tadahito Iguchi

Kazuo Matsui

Akinori Iwamura

Kosuke Fukudome

 

They've all been pretty good.

[BSN07]

If it wasn't for the big 52M posting fee, I think Dice-K would already be gone. I think they would have cashed in on his very high value this off season. But with all that money invested, I'm sure Theo would have a hard sell to the owners.

[TheKilo]

I guess 18-3 and a sub 3 ERA doesn't get you much in terms of goodwill, huh?

[SCM33]

Dice-K is starting to rub me the wrong way.

 

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/red-sox/rob-bradford/2009/06/08/five-things-we-learned-future-red-sox-starters-didnt-g

 

He basically says, the team told me to pound the strike zone with fastballs, didn't allow me to pitch the way I want to pitch, and this is what happens when I'm told how to pitch. His stubbornness is starting to bother me along with the 5 hour games he pitches in and the fact that in June, we are saying his s***** starts are "OK" because this is his "spring training". Its ********, we paid a shitload of money just to talk to the guy and then reward him with a huge contract. Shut up, stay loyal to the team writing your paychecks, and do what you are told to do.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Dice-K is starting to rub me the wrong way.

 

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/red-sox/rob-bradford/2009/06/08/five-things-we-learned-future-red-sox-starters-didnt-g

 

He basically says, the team told me to pound the strike zone with fastballs, didn't allow me to pitch the way I want to pitch, and this is what happens when I'm told how to pitch. His stubbornness is starting to bother me along with the 5 hour games he pitches in and the fact that in June, we are saying his s***** starts are "OK" because this is his "spring training". Its ********, we paid a shitload of money just to talk to the guy and then reward him with a huge contract. Shut up, stay loyal to the team writing your paychecks, and do what you are told to do.

after each of his starts i'm starting to lean more and more toward having this opinion.