“FENWAY'S BEST PLAYERS”


 
2007-2012
#39   DAISUKE MATSUZAKA
 

In 2007, Dice-K Matsuzake made his first major league regular season start for the Red Sox in an afternoon game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. He walked one, recorded 10 strikeouts, and at one point retired 10 consecutive batters. He allowed only a solo home run on six hits while throwing 108 pitches (74 for strikes) over 7 innings and recorded the win as the Red Sox triumphed by a score of 4–1. He closed out his first Major League season with a record of 15–12 and an ERA of 4.40.

In the beginning of 2008 season, his best year in the majors, Matsuzaka led the Red Sox pitching staff with eight consecutive wins without suffering a single loss. He ended the season with an 18–3 record, 2.90 ERA and held opponents to a .211 AVG (and 6.9 hits-per-9-innings), the lowest in the majors. He also led the AL by leaving 80.6 percent of the baserunners he allowed stranded. Eight times during the season, Matsuzaka nibbled around the corner too much, surrendered walks to five or more batters in a game, and 12 times he walked three or more in a game. The interesting statistic is that Dice-K was 11–1 in the 16 starts he walked three or more batters, which was a testament to his ability to wiggle out of whatever trouble he got himself into.

When Dice-K decided to pitch in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the Red Sox were concerned. Dice-K went on to lead Team Japan to victory earning the MVP award with a 3–0 record and 2.45 ERA. After that his career went downhill. He was placed on the DL due to "weakness" in his throwing arm possibly caused by the extensive pitching he did in the World Baseball Classic.

He became a free agent after the 2012 Red Sox season Dice-K went on to finish his career pitching for the Mets before returning to Japan.