A Japanese baseball pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka first earned fame in Japan as a high school standout and then as the ace for the Seibu Lions. He throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs along with a plus curve and a plus slider. Matsuzaka was the ace for Japan in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics as well as the 2006 World Baseball Classic, in which he won the championship game.
The Boston Globe and SI.com are reporting that sources in Japan indicate the Red Sox will announce on Monday that they have signed coveted amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, a 22-year-old righthander who idolizes Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Publ.Date : Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:21:17 GMTTOKYO - Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is ready to help Japan defend its title at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Publ.Date : Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:05:00 GMTJapanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa moved a step closer to signing with the Boston Red Sox after rejecting offers from three other major league teams.
Publ.Date : Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:54:48 GMTThe Rangers reportedly made a competitive bid to land 22-year-old Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa but were rejected.
Publ.Date : Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:59:41 GMTRumors have persisted through much of the offseason that the Red Sox were the favorites to land the services of young Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa, and in early December the informal rumors may become official announcements.
Publ.Date : Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:59:45 GMT
Full Daisuke Matsuzaka News
In Japan's national high school tournament, Matsuzaka threw back-to-back complete game wins, throwing 250 pitches, then pitched an inning in relief the next day. On the fourth day, he started again and again got the win with a complete game, throwing about 400 pitches in four days.
If you found this FanUnity profile interesting, you may want to visit these other sections of the site:
JAPAN