blog

__
This past September, my son and I flew to Boston to celebrate his 13th birthday by watching the Yankees play the Red Sox at Fenway. It ended up being the second longest 9 inning game in the history of baseball and is a trip neither of us will ever forget. Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched against Andy Pettitte that night and we eagerly watched "Dice-K" for the first time in person.

Writer Mike Petraglia authored the following story about Matsuzaka's attention to detail in preparation for his second season, and I thought it might be a good idea to include it in today's blog.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As a reporter asked him whether he has met a high-ranking political official like President George W. Bush -- whom he will meet on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. -- Daisuke Matsuzaka thought for a moment and then yelled toward a Japanese reporter to help him refresh his memory.

Matsuzaka got his answer. He had met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who gave him one of his first major awards following his sensational rookie season in 1999 with the Seibu Lions.

It may seem like a minor detail, but the handful of reporters surrounding Matsuzaka's locker and his impromptu question toward someone outside the circle was just one example of how much more at ease the right-hander is heading into his second season with the Red Sox.
At this time last year, Matsuzaka was still wondering which field to go to and what passed for normal in camp.

"Naturally, he feels a lot more comfortable," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He's not wondering which field to go to or what drill is next. The faces look a lot more familiar, and I'm sure that helps him in the process. This year, I think he can focus on pitching and getting ready for the season a lot more than last year, where he was just getting used to his environment."
Fast-forward 12 months and a World Series championship later, and the right-hander seems to be taking to his surroundings quite nicely.

"I feel like I'm moving forward one step at a time," said Matsuzaka, who went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA in 32 starts last season.

On Tuesday at the Red Sox's Minor League complex, Matsuzaka showed everyone watching him throw batting practice that he appears ready for more of a jump.

Facing J.D. Drew, Matsuzaka threw a fastball, a slider and a changeup, and the Red Sox's right fielder swung and missed on all three. While it's common for pitchers to be well ahead of batters at this stage, Tuesday's performance was still a significant sign that Matsuzaka may be ready to build upon his 15-win 2007 season.

"I think this time of year, the pitchers are a little bit further along in terms of making adjustments, so I don't think there's any particular reason to make anything more of it than just that," Matsuzaka said humbly before adding, "I think my overall condition is very good right now, and in comparing it to where I was last year at this time, definitely I feel better."

Matsuzaka was at his best late last season, as he won Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Indians and Game 3 of the World Series in Colorado.
Comfort and familiarity were the two buzzwords thrown about as those inside and outside the organization tried to project how the highly touted Japanese ace would adapt to life in the Majors.

There was, of course, the lifestyle adjustment of moving his family to Boston for the season, a family that is about to expand, with his wife expecting a child around Opening Day.
Then there were subtle changes to account for on the diamond, and not-so-subtle changes -- like the baseball.

The seams on the ball used in the Major Leagues are not as raised as those used in Japan, and Matsuzaka said after last season that it was a challenge getting accustomed to throwing the big league ball.

Since great pitchers are the ones who make all the right adjustments, Matsuzaka showed early on this offseason that he was serious about gaining every possible advantage heading into his second big league campaign. He brought some Major League baseballs home with him to Japan so he could practice throwing them in the offseason.

"I think last year was a time period where I really wanted to try everything out, try different things for the years forward," said Matsuzaka. "The ball and the grip on the ball was one thing that was a big part of that, and hopefully I spent enough time experimenting with it last year that it makes a difference going forward." (2/26/2008 - mlb.com)

danny@arizonapitching.com

www.arizonapitching.com