Dice-K Series?
If you are wondering how the Japanese are viewing the recent Boston Red Sox sweep of the World Series, here is a shot of three major Japanese sports dailies that I picked up at the local train station yesterday.
All three of the papers feature a large photograph if Daisuke (Dice-K) Matsuzaka with the headline Matsuzaka sekai-ichi (Matsuzaka, number 1 in the world!).* The fact that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series is mentioned in small sub-headlines, almost as an afterthought.
Though Matsuzaka performed very well during the World Series, I would hardly say that he won the 162-game season, elimination playoffs, and World Series all on his own.
* In the sake of fairness, I should point out that one of the papers shown above (Sports Nichi) tempers their headline somewhat by saying Matsuzaka sekai-ichi shiawase (Matsuzaka, happiest in the world), noting that Matsuzaka and his wife also are expecting their second child in March 2008. However, the upcoming birth was given a bigger headline than the Red Sox victory.
Funny - whenever I’d momentarily stay on the TV channel long enough to catch an inning, it was *always* with Okajima on the mound… .
M’eh. Now the Red Sox are a Dream Team and I must loathe them, too, along with the Yankees and L.A. (for the simple reason that I have an absurdly unreasonable desire for the team to finally come home to Brooklyn).
I wish the Mariners would have picked up Okajima. They need better pitching for next season and Okajima pitching to Johjima while Ichero is guarding the field field would be great to watch (and see if they’d bring more Japanese-style ball to the Majors).
And put Adam Jones (who’s only 22 and already very good) out in the field, move veteran Ibanez to 1st base and dump the expensive-but-floundering Richie Sexson (or get him to sell popcorn and beer in the stands ’cause who else is going to pay him US$14m left on a contract).
I can’t wait for Feb. 28th (the opening of their Spring Training Camp)… .
October 31st, 2007 at 4:57 amI think many Japanese fans are just relieved that Matsuzaka didn’t become the loser in American League Championship and World Series. He was only so good at his most important last 2 games, that however can’t compensate his poor performances in regular season.
As for Mariners it seems the year 2001 was a kind of dream now. Richie Sexson should be traded for a better slugger or maybe Okajima ?
October 31st, 2007 at 7:44 pmTofuUnion! You talk like you know the Mariners!
I think the Mariners must get a good pitcher. They lost last season because of the pitching more than the hitting.
They have a nice pitching staff but what they really need is one good, dependable, stable pitcher instead of a few pitchers who have problems being consistent.
I feel bad for Ichero - he’s such a good player and really deserves to be on a World Series team more than Matsuzaka… . It’s a good thing he’s getting so much money if he can’t get all the glory
I’m very interested to see how the future of North American baseball will change in the next few years with the increasing number of Asian and Latino players and which culture will alter modern baseball culture more.
A friend and I were just discussing a few days ago, though, the numbers of players from Quebec (including the Mariners top draft pick) is increasing and some humourous ways they could change baseball
November 1st, 2007 at 6:34 amThis just shows how little the Japanese care about MLB. I wonder if Scott Fujita of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints is widely known in Japan!
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:37 pmThe situation is very similar here in Taiwan, where everyone knows that Chien-ming Wang pitches for the New York Yankees. Hardly anyone knows the names of any of his teammates, however, let alone those of any other major leaguer, with one exception - Daisuke Matsuzaka. All season long, the Taiwanese media played up the supposed “rivalry” between Wang and Matsuzaka, and gleefully pointed out the better numbers Wang put up. But seeing as how Matsuzaka pitched well in the postseason, while Wang was blown out of two games against the Indians, it’s pretty obvious which player came out ahead.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 amBetty Woo
Some Japanese players who have gotten free agent right are supposed to aim for the big league. Especially Masahide Kobayashi is a very good pitcher. He enjoyed here better carrier than Masa Saito or Okajima (both were at MLB all stars game this year). He can be a good setupper or the closer for the Mariners. I keep my finger crossed that the Mariners get him.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm