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Matsuzaka's First Game (1 Viewer)

Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.

I don't see what the big deal is.

 
Colin Dowling said:
Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.I don't see what the big deal is.
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Just a lot of hype around the first BIG Japanese import since Ichiro. Given Ichiro's success it is now assumed that some japanese players can make the transition so there are now higher expectations for Matsuzaka. Given all the media hype and how big this is in Japan (the guy is tailed constantly by a swarm of japanese media) it really is one of the bigger stories in MLB globally in the last few years.ZLuckily the kid has shown tendencies to be a big game pitcher in the past, as this game will be a complete circus and I'm dreading the backlash from the mouth breathers if he doesn't have a dominant performance.
 
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Me and my fantasy baseball team will be watching.

I took him in the 7th (77th overall). I'm hoping for big things.

 
' date='Apr 5 2007, 05:11 PM' post='6568868']

Colin Dowling said:
Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Just a lot of hype around the first BIG Japanese import since Ichiro. Given Ichiro's success it is now assumed that some japanese players can make the transition so there are now higher expectations for Matsuzaka. Given all the media hype and how big this is in Japan (the guy is tailed constantly by a swarm of japanese media) it really is one of the bigger stories in MLB globally in the last few years.ZLuckily the kid has shown tendencies to be a big game pitcher in the past, as this game will be a complete circus and I'm dreading the backlash from the mouth breathers if he doesn't have a dominant performance.
Click to expand...
I agree completely with your point. "Big imports" like Ichiro, Matsuzaka, Yao, etc. from the far East are indeed big stories. And while it is not he fault of the player or the fans, I guess I'm just sick of reading/hearing about how revolutionary his performance is. (1) we have yet to really see him over an extended period against MLB players and (2) it seems a little early to be talking about how he's Pedro all over or whatever. Then again, if Bill Russell just finished playing center at Ohio State, anything is possible... :thumbdown:
 
Colin Dowling said:
' date='Apr 5 2007, 05:11 PM' post='6568868']

Colin Dowling said:
Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Just a lot of hype around the first BIG Japanese import since Ichiro. Given Ichiro's success it is now assumed that some japanese players can make the transition so there are now higher expectations for Matsuzaka. Given all the media hype and how big this is in Japan (the guy is tailed constantly by a swarm of japanese media) it really is one of the bigger stories in MLB globally in the last few years.ZLuckily the kid has shown tendencies to be a big game pitcher in the past, as this game will be a complete circus and I'm dreading the backlash from the mouth breathers if he doesn't have a dominant performance.
Click to expand...
I agree completely with your point. "Big imports" like Ichiro, Matsuzaka, Yao, etc. from the far East are indeed big stories. And while it is not he fault of the player or the fans, I guess I'm just sick of reading/hearing about how revolutionary his performance is. (1) we have yet to really see him over an extended period against MLB players and (2) it seems a little early to be talking about how he's Pedro all over or whatever. Then again, if Bill Russell just finished playing center at Ohio State, anything is possible... :pickle:
Click to expand...
Agreed. I think he'll finish in the 15-20 ranking of MLB SP.... probably top 10 in the AL. I think anyone expecting the next Pedro Martinez is going to be sorely dissapointed. Stick him in the NL west and he'd post a 2.00 ERA :pickle:
 
bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
LHUCKS said:
Colin Dowling said:
I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Gyro ball...baby.
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same pitch that Willie Hernandez had, screwballTwo words TOMMY JOHN
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ACtually it's his changeup... not a screwball. Varied finger pressure (less than arm rotation) is what generates the fairly unique spin and flight characteristics. He can adjust this finger pressure to change the flight with each pitch... making it very difficult to predict... even moreso when he's got 3-4 other breaking balls and a heater that can hit the mid 90s. If he loosens up and locks in on the strike zone he's going to be very difficult to hit.
 
I was going to be at the game today but am too sunburnt from Opening Day to go sit out there again lol

Don't forget about the other SP either....Greinke has had a lot of national baseball people talking about his comeback.

 
' date='Apr 5 2007, 05:26 PM' post='6569011']

bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
LHUCKS said:
Colin Dowling said:
I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Gyro ball...baby.
Click to expand...
same pitch that Willie Hernandez had, screwballTwo words TOMMY JOHN
Click to expand...
ACtually it's his changeup... not a screwball. Varied finger pressure (less than arm rotation) is what generates the fairly unique spin and flight characteristics. He can adjust this finger pressure to change the flight with each pitch... making it very difficult to predict... even moreso when he's got 3-4 other breaking balls and a heater that can hit the mid 90s. If he loosens up and locks in on the strike zone he's going to be very difficult to hit.
Click to expand...
In other words, what Greg Maddux has been doing for years.
 
Of course, in Boston and in Japan, baseball effectively serves as a religion, too. When Matsuzaka made his spring debut against Boston College last month, 14 million watched the live broadcast in Japan at precisely 8 a.m. On Monday, when the Red Sox opened their 2007 season and three days before Matsuzaka was scheduled to make his debut, an estimated 135 members of the Japanese media were chronicling the pitcher’s every move in anticipation of his first major league start.
Click to expand...
If they can get 14 freaking million viewers for a SPRING TRAINING game against a college team, I can only imagine the possible ad revenue the Sox are looking at getting from overseas this season, outstanding.
 
Alias said:
Of course, in Boston and in Japan, baseball effectively serves as a religion, too. When Matsuzaka made his spring debut against Boston College last month, 14 million watched the live broadcast in Japan at precisely 8 a.m. On Monday, when the Red Sox opened their 2007 season and three days before Matsuzaka was scheduled to make his debut, an estimated 135 members of the Japanese media were chronicling the pitcher’s every move in anticipation of his first major league start.
Click to expand...
If they can get 14 freaking million viewers for a SPRING TRAINING game against a college team, I can only imagine the possible ad revenue the Sox are looking at getting from overseas this season, outstanding.
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Isn't MLB set up where Boston will be sharing that revenue with the other clubs?
 
bostonfred said:
Colin Dowling said:
I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Colin Dowling said:
In other words, what Greg Maddux has been doing for years.
Click to expand...
:shrug: It's not a big deal if Dice K gets seriously mentioned in the same sentence with Maddux by someone like you who doesn't even care?
Click to expand...
I didn't mention him in the same sentence as Maddux. Quite the contrary, I was pointing out that all the hubub regarding DM's 1,000 different pitches is no different then Maddux. Moving your thumb on the ball to get different motion on a changeup is not a new pitch.
 
Colin Dowling said:
I didn't mention him in the same sentence as Maddux. Quite the contrary, I was pointing out that all the hubub regarding DM's 1,000 different pitches is no different then Maddux.
Click to expand...
Yes you did. The reason people are excited about him is that he definitely throws something different - probably a changeup that tails the wrong direction. He also throws traditional pitches well, and he throws them all with virtually the exact same delivery. That makes it very difficult to pick up the pitch.

So we have a guy who had never pitched in the major leagues, except in spring training when he looked really good, who got paid a ton based on the extremely high expectations, who is rumored to have a pitch that nobody has ever seen before, and who definitely throws a pitch that not many people (and one notable hall of famer) throw successfuly, and who is able to do it all mechanically, facing his first real MLB competition, for a team that is supposed to be a contender. What is uninteresting to you about that?

 
bostonfred said:
Colin Dowling said:
I didn't mention him in the same sentence as Maddux. Quite the contrary, I was pointing out that all the hubub regarding DM's 1,000 different pitches is no different then Maddux.
Click to expand...
Yes you did. The reason people are excited about him is that he definitely throws something different - probably a changeup that tails the wrong direction. He also throws traditional pitches well, and he throws them all with virtually the exact same delivery. That makes it very difficult to pick up the pitch.

So we have a guy who had never pitched in the major leagues, except in spring training when he looked really good, who got paid a ton based on the extremely high expectations, who is rumored to have a pitch that nobody has ever seen before, and who definitely throws a pitch that not many people (and one notable hall of famer) throw successfuly, and who is able to do it all mechanically, facing his first real MLB competition, for a team that is supposed to be a contender. What is uninteresting to you about that?
Click to expand...
I missed the first part of the only class I regularly attend so I could see him throw his first inning. There's nothing uninteresting about this.
 
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Chase Stuart said:
bostonfred said:
Colin Dowling said:
I didn't mention him in the same sentence as Maddux. Quite the contrary, I was pointing out that all the hubub regarding DM's 1,000 different pitches is no different then Maddux.
Click to expand...
Yes you did. The reason people are excited about him is that he definitely throws something different - probably a changeup that tails the wrong direction. He also throws traditional pitches well, and he throws them all with virtually the exact same delivery. That makes it very difficult to pick up the pitch.

So we have a guy who had never pitched in the major leagues, except in spring training when he looked really good, who got paid a ton based on the extremely high expectations, who is rumored to have a pitch that nobody has ever seen before, and who definitely throws a pitch that not many people (and one notable hall of famer) throw successfuly, and who is able to do it all mechanically, facing his first real MLB competition, for a team that is supposed to be a contender. What is uninteresting to you about that?
Click to expand...
I missed the first part of the only class I regularly attend so I could see him throw his first inning. There's nothing uninteresting about this.
Click to expand...
:) Just took a late lunch to hit a local bar for the first couple innings. the whole bar was relatively crowded. Most folks weren't there for the game, but when they put it on one of hte 5 big screens, EVERYONE was was watching it.

 
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I'm only seeing the live boxscore right now. Any info on how he looks (besides the fact that he's throwing a one hitter through four and just struck out the side)?

 
Lugo :goodposting:

Liked seeing Tek attempt the bunt in the 2nd as well.... Sox could use some small ball in tight games like this.

 
bostonfred said:
I'm only seeing the live boxscore right now. Any info on how he looks (besides the fact that he's throwing a one hitter through four and just struck out the side)?
Click to expand...
Watched the first 2 on EI.1st inning : Moved the ball around a lot... missed some spots. was up in the zone but ball had some nice breaks. Opened with a fastball as promised.. a cut was taken (as promised) but he had no chance. 2nd Inning : Jitters seemed to be shaken off... started setting in. Great movement on the ball.. painted the corners. He's been looking stronger inning by inning.. which is what all scouting reports have indicated. if that's the worst of his "welcome to the majors" jitters then we're in for a treat ./
 
who got paid a ton based on the extremely high expectations...
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Chicken...egg....chicken...egg..
who is rumored to have a pitch that nobody has ever seen before...
Click to expand...
And who has dispelled that rumor himself multiple times.
for a team that is supposed to be a contender....
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Based on what - their 3rd place finish from last year, their high payroll, their 16th rated Batting Average last season, or their 26th rated ERA last year?
What is uninteresting to you about that?
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He's a #3 pitcher for what is most recently a #3 team. He's a fantastic story as an import and I too am curious to see how he does. But I bet dollars to donuts that the Masters will lead off Sportscenter tonight, followed by Red Sox highlights, which makes no sense to me.
 
' date='Apr 5 2007, 03:32 PM' post='6570177']

bostonfred said:
I'm only seeing the live boxscore right now. Any info on how he looks (besides the fact that he's throwing a one hitter through four and just struck out the side)?
Click to expand...
Watched the first 2 on EI.1st inning : Moved the ball around a lot... missed some spots. was up in the zone but ball had some nice breaks. Opened with a fastball as promised.. a cut was taken (as promised) but he had no chance. 2nd Inning : Jitters seemed to be shaken off... started setting in. Great movement on the ball.. painted the corners. He's been looking stronger inning by inning.. which is what all scouting reports have indicated. if that's the worst of his "welcome to the majors" jitters then we're in for a treat ./
Click to expand...
well it is the royals with cheese after all
 
5 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)4 Members: [icon], Alias, bostonfred
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:hi:Funny seeing you guys in here :whoosh:
 
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Nigel said:
Colin Dowling said:
But I bet dollars to donuts that the Masters will lead off Sportscenter tonight, followed by Red Sox highlights, which makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
What should be the the #2 story of SportsCenter, if not Dice K's MLB debut?
Click to expand...
San Antonio vs. Phoenix....Billy Donovan staying at Florida...DM's debut should be ahead of the Frozen Four though, I'll grant that. Probably ahead of the final NHL weekend as well.

 
Dice getting hit around a bit in the 6th. Approaching 100 ptiches... glad we've got action in the pen. Kid's a bit fatigued methinks.

 
Colin Dowling said:
Nigel said:
Colin Dowling said:
But I bet dollars to donuts that the Masters will lead off Sportscenter tonight, followed by Red Sox highlights, which makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
What should be the the #2 story of SportsCenter, if not Dice K's MLB debut?
Click to expand...
San Antonio vs. Phoenix....Billy Donovan staying at Florida...DM's debut should be ahead of the Frozen Four though, I'll grant that. Probably ahead of the final NHL weekend as well.
Click to expand...
:shrug: Are you serious??

 
Colin Dowling said:
Nigel said:
Colin Dowling said:
But I bet dollars to donuts that the Masters will lead off Sportscenter tonight, followed by Red Sox highlights, which makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
What should be the the #2 story of SportsCenter, if not Dice K's MLB debut?
Click to expand...
San Antonio vs. Phoenix....Billy Donovan staying at Florida...DM's debut should be ahead of the Frozen Four though, I'll grant that. Probably ahead of the final NHL weekend as well.
Click to expand...
Come on. I know you are not a fan of Boston sports teams in general, so it's hard to be objective, but do you seriously think more people in this country are intrigued by/interested in your two suggestions above than they are in the debut of Dice K?
 
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' date='Apr 5 2007, 01:11 PM' post='6568868']

Colin Dowling said:
Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Just a lot of hype around the first BIG Japanese import since Ichiro. Given Ichiro's success it is now assumed that some japanese players can make the transition so there are now higher expectations for Matsuzaka. Given all the media hype and how big this is in Japan (the guy is tailed constantly by a swarm of japanese media) it really is one of the bigger stories in MLB globally in the last few years.ZLuckily the kid has shown tendencies to be a big game pitcher in the past, as this game will be a complete circus and I'm dreading the backlash from the mouth breathers if he doesn't have a dominant performance.
Click to expand...
Hiedki Matsui down?
 
A little trouble in the sixth with a leadoff home run and a two out double, but he gets the strikemoutthrowemout double play and another K to end the inning.

 
shadyridr said:
' date='Apr 5 2007, 01:11 PM' post='6568868']

Colin Dowling said:
Didn't we see it the other night when Barry Zito played. And when A-Rod played (although that's 200 million). And when Manny played. And when Carlos Lee played. Kevin Brown too a few years ago, right? So on and so forth.I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...
Just a lot of hype around the first BIG Japanese import since Ichiro. Given Ichiro's success it is now assumed that some japanese players can make the transition so there are now higher expectations for Matsuzaka. Given all the media hype and how big this is in Japan (the guy is tailed constantly by a swarm of japanese media) it really is one of the bigger stories in MLB globally in the last few years.ZLuckily the kid has shown tendencies to be a big game pitcher in the past, as this game will be a complete circus and I'm dreading the backlash from the mouth breathers if he doesn't have a dominant performance.
Click to expand...
Hiedki Matsui down?
Click to expand...
Matsui is the man.. and he was a big to-do.... but no way near the scale of Matsuzaka IMHOCourse, I could be wrong. Matsuzaka's numbers coming into the inning:7IP - 1ER - 1BB - 8K : 1.50 ERA - 1.16 WHIP
 
Wow. Comes back in the top of the seventh with 96 pitches, and gets the four pitch strikeout to start the inning. Nine Ks.

 
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