Daisuke Matsuzaka upset with Boston's training staff.

[MaineDolFan]

Daisuke Matsuzaka, in an interview with a newspaper out of Japan, said (amoung other things):

"If I'm forced to continue to train in this environment," he said, "I may no longer be able to pitch like I did in Japan."

Matsuzaka is blaming Boston for his shoulder problems this season.

Hmmm.  2007, Matsuzaka did it "his way."  He went 15-12 with an ERA of 4.40 for the season.  He pitched 204.2 innings and his average start only went 5 2/3.  32 starts.

2008 Matsuzaka did it "Boston's" way.  169 innings pitched, average start was 6 and 2/3.  18-3 with an ERA of 2.90.  29 starts.  3 less starts and 35 less innings. 

Huh.  I wonder which training staff has it "right?"

Forget the fact that the baseball is a different size in Japan, forget the fact that the strike zone is larger.  Also forget the fact that you aren't facing anywhere near the talent.

2009, against Boston's wishes, Matsuzaka pitches in the WBC and, again, does it "his way."  His way lead to an 8.23 ERA with a 1-5 record in 35 innings pitched.  That's the result of a good training method?  Boston literally didn't see him until after the WBC.  So it's "his way" that lead to this horrific start to 2009.  And now he's whining that "I may no longer be able to pitch like I did in Japan?"

Sounds like the comments of a guy looking to save face in his nation.  Boston has an amazing pitching staff led by one of the top pitching coaches in the game.  HIS way saw Matsuzaka go 18-3 with a sparkling ERA.

But Boston's way is bad? 

Boy, oh boy.  This signing looks better and better every day!   

[Sunstroke]

He was such an outstanding pitcher in Japan, and he really looked like he'd turned the corner last season in regards to settling in against major league hitters.

Now this...yeesh!

[MaineDolFan]

He turned the corner last year because Boston was able to hold his ear.  Lord only knows who got into his head during the WBC.

I think he's a decent pitcher and, yes, was God like in Japan.  But, honestly, that would be like me pitching to a Babe Ruth team and then pounding on my chest and saying I'm ready to face the Rays lineup. 

Japan hitters are not MLB hitters...otherwise MLB teams would steal them and they would be playing here.

[Pats2006]

Fuck Dice-K go back to Japan!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

For all the money Boston paid to get him, you'd want him to produce more like he did in 2008. 

[StL FinFan]

Way to blame others for your shortcomings.  He's becoming more American every day.

[MaineDolFan]

From the Globe's "extra bases:"

Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell tersely shot back at Daisuke Matsuzaka's public disagreement with the Red Sox' shoulder conditionining program for the second time today.

"Do I think he's more open? No. This couldn't be any further from it," said Farrell. "There is no openness.

"There's been a lot of conversation back and forth. Thoughts have been exchanged. The disappointment comes from him airing his dirty laundry," said Farrell.

Farrell also disagreed that Matsuzaka's suggestion of throwing more pitches would have any positive effect on his shoulder.

"The rigors of this schedule presents energy and taxation regardless of where you're from," said Farrell. "The body needs a recovery and recuperation period. It comes to a point of diminishing returns when you pile on volume.

"If you're going to throw 115 pitches, you've got to go out and be effective. At some point there's got to be some accountability and responsibility from the player," said Farrell."


I love it.  Dude was 25 pounds overweight going into spring training.  Ramped up HIS way for the WBC.  Couldn't get a little leaguer out on his fastball to start the season and blames the Boston staff? 

On one hand, and as a pitcher myself, I understand that there are simply things that work for you.  I get that there are things that work for him.  But THEY WERE NOT WORKING!  I love that Boston didn't take this lying down and called him out.  Kudos.

[Denver_Bronco]

He sucked last year too. His win/loss record was completely skewed from how horrible he performed. The guy walks 10 batters for every 6 innings he pitches.

[MaineDolFan]

The 18-3 was a high wire act, that is for sure.  BUT you do need to pitch awfully well to always have RSIP and still get out of it with an ERA under 2.30 for the year.

I personally like pitchers that just get after guys.  I hate this nibbling crap.