Starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka from the BOSTON RED SOX is prepared to help Japan, defending the World Baseball Classic title next March. The MVP at the inaugural tournament went 3-0 with an ERA of 1.38 in three starts in 2006. He late signed with the team from New England, winning the World Series in 2007. In 2008 he finished the season 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA, taking fourth place in the American League Cy Young Voting behind winner Cliff Lee from the CEVELAND INDIANS.
He told the Associated Press this week in Tokyo, “I’ll accept the offer if I’m asked to play. I’ll pick up the pace of my training in December so that I won’t have to scramble at the last minute.”
Besides their pitching ace, the other Japanese superstar in the MLB, Ichiro Suzuki of the SEATTLE MARINERS, also already made his intentions public to participate in the 2009 WBC. The competition begins on March 5th. Japan plays Korea, China and Taiwan in pool A.
MLB.com: Dice-K prepared to pitch in Classic
MLB.com: Japan seeking repeat in 2009