Vital Statistics:
Born: Sept. 13, 1980
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Family: Wife, Tomoyo; one daughter.
Primary position: Starting pitcher
Before The Bigs:
- Given the nickname “The Monster” in the Japanese equivalent of high school. Led his school to the national championship in 1998, pitching 254 pitches in 17 innings in one game, then an inning of relief for a win the next day in the national tournament.
- Was picked first in the Japanese baseball draft in 1998 by the Seibu Lions, and was rookie of the year in 1999 at age 18, when he went 16-5. He struck out Ichiro Suzuki three times in one game that season.
- Pitched for Japan in the 2004 Olympics (bronze medal) and was named MVP of the 2006 World Baseball Classic, going 3-0 and defeating Cuba in the championship game.
- After the 2006 season, the Boston Red Sox spent $52 million for the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka and agent Scott Boras through the Japanese posting system. The Red Sox then signed “Dice-K” to a six-year, $52 million contract with incentives.
- Struck out 10 in his major-league debut against the Royals, a 4-1 Red Sox victory.
- Won six consecutive starts from April 22 to May 25, including his first complete game in a 7-1 victory over Detroit.
Career Highlights:
