Daisuke Matsuzaka

Olympic medal record
Men’s Baseball
	2004 Athens	Team

Daisuke Matsuzaka (松坂 大輔, Matsuzaka Daisuke, born September 13, 1980 in Tokyo, Japan) (pronounced DICE-keh Mah-TSOO-zah-kah) is a Japanese right-handed pitcher who plays for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. On November 14, 2006, Major League Baseball announced that the Boston Red Sox had won the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka via the posting system and have 30 days to reach a contract agreement for him to play in Boston. If they fail to reach an agreement, he will have to return to play in Japan. .

Bio

Daisuke Matsuzaka graduated from Yokohama High School in Japan in 1998. Matsuzaka became a national hero in 1998 when he pitched Yokohama High School into the Koshien Tournament and dominated the competition like no one before or since. In the quarterfinals of that year's Koshien national high school baseball tournament, he threw 250 pitches in 17 innings against traditional powerhouse P.L. Gakuen. In stifling heat, Matsuzaka pitched a game for the ages, emerging victorious. The very next day, he played in the outfield but recorded a save. In the final, he threw a no-hitter—the second ever in a final—to win both the tournament and the admiration of the nation. This performance garnered the attention of a great many scouts. After his graduation, he was taken by the Seibu Lions with the first pick of the 1998 draft.

In his first professional season (1999), he had 16 wins and 5 losses as the team ace, and was voted Rookie of the Year. In 2003, Matsuzaka logged 16 wins and 7 losses. He won the Pacific League ERA title with a 2.83 mark. Matsuzaka also played for Japan's National Baseball Team, and pitched against South Korea.

He participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece and was a key player in Japan's acquisition of the bronze medal. His fastball ranges from 90-96 mph (145-154km/h), with good late movement. He also throws a splitter, changeup and slider with almost the same delivery. He is also the pitcher most associated with the infamous gyroball, admitting he is trying to throw it, and has thrown it in a game. People born in the 1980 fiscal year (from April 2, 1980 to the following April 1, 1981) have been called the Matsuzaka generation (松坂世代, Matsuzaka sedai). Matsuzaka pitched for Japan in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Matsuzaka was named tournament MVP after posting a 3-0 record, including a decisive win over Cuba in the tournament's championship game.

Major League transition

On October 24, 2006, Scott Boras was announced as Matsuzaka's agent to represent him in any contract dealings in the American Major Leagues. On November 2, Matsuzaka was officially granted permission by the Lions to pursue a career in Major League Baseball via the posting system.

On November 14, it was announced that the Boston Red Sox had won the bidding rights to Matsuzaka with a bid of $51,111,111.11. The Red Sox have 30 days to sign Matsuzaka to a contract. If a deal cannot be completed, Matsuzaka will return to the Lions and the bid will not be paid to the Lions. Matsuzaka would have to wait at least one more year and be reposted. The process will repeat itself during the 2007 offseason where one team has exclusive negotiating rights to Matsuzaka. If a contract cannot be reached, he will have to return to Japan for the 2008 season before becoming a free agent prior to the 2009 MLB season. Matsuzaka spent a considerable portion of his 2002 season on the DL, which does not count towards his service time. He should be eligible for free agency after the 2007 NPB season but his trip on the DL will postpone free agency another year. Through the posting system, Boston outbid other teams including the Texas Rangers, the New York Mets, and the New York Yankees.

Scott Boras is holding a press confrence from his offices open to the Associated Press and Japenese media on December 11, at 9 p.m. ET.

While negotiations have been ongoing, it has been reported the Scott Boras, the agent representing Daisuke Matsuzaka, has been quoted as saying his client "is worth well in excess of $100 million." Updated from the AP on December 12, 2006.

Career statistics (through 2006)

Year	Team	W	L	IP	H	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1999	Seibu	16	5	180	124	52	87	151	2.60	1.17
2000	Seibu	14	7	167.2	132	74	95	144	3.97	1.35
2001	Seibu	15	15	240.1	184	96	117	214	3.60	1.25
2002	Seibu	6	2	73.1	60	30	15	78	3.68	1.02
2003	Seibu	16	7	194	165	61	63	215	2.83	1.18
2004	Seibu	10	6	146	165	47	42	127	2.90	1.42
2005	Seibu	14	13	215	172	55	49	226	2.30	1.03
2006	Seibu	17	5	186.1	138	44	34	200	2.13	0.92
TOTALS		108	60	1402.2	1140	459	502	1355	2.95	1.17

External links

• SI.com article