Dice-K to make much-anticipated debut

For months, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been the No. 1 topic surrounding the Boston Red Sox. Every aspect of his arsenal has been dissected. Every bit of his history has been reviewed. Every nuance of his assimilation has been reported. The only thing that hasn't happened -- Matsuzaka pitching in an official game for the Red Sox -- will occur Thursday afternoon when the much-ballyhooed righty from Japan makes his Major League debut against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

From Japan to New England to Kansas City, they'll be watching. The Red Sox have liked the view so far. "I think it's just a monster hype job that we're going through," said Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "I hope he just settles down and pitches. I hope he gets into his own groove and doesn't try to do too much. His stuff is excellent."

Dice-K's legend began in high school, when he threw 250 pitches in a 17-inning complete game in Koshien, the national tournament. He pitched the next day in relief, then threw a no-hitter on the third consecutive day to win the championship. Matsuzaka signed with the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League after high school, his charm and cherubic nature instantly endearing him to a baseball-crazed nation. "He keeps getting bigger and bigger and getting more popular," said Yoshiki Sasaki, who has been covering Matsuzaka since 2002 for the Japanese newspaper Hochi Shimbun. "Japan saw Matsuzaka getting big."

With at least six pitches -- not counting that mystical (mythical?) gyroball -- and a fastball clocked in the mid-90s, the deepest pockets in baseball spent the offseason pining for Matsuzaka. Boston eventually won the bidding war, posting $51,111,111 for the right to negotiate. The sides agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract on Dec. 13, and every move Matsuzaka has made since then has been watched and weighed.

While Matsuzaka's debut is being viewed as a spectacle, the drama of it all doesn't figure to bother him. In fact, it will probably make Matsuzaka feel more at home. "Because he has pitched on such a high stage since the age of 17, that's where he's shown us his relaxation and his mound presence, to be able to deal with the attention and the spotlight," said Farrell. "To me, I think he feels very much at home in that environment."

Matsuzaka might not feel so comfortable in the elements. The forecast? Frigid. Game-time temperature will be in the low 40s with a wind-chill that will make it feel like the mid-30s. "He has pitched in cold weather. It's been on some rare occasions, because their home ballpark was a dome in Seibu," Farrell said. "The one great thing about pitching on a cold night or a cold day is the warmest guy on the field is the starting pitcher."

Matsuzaka, as is his custom, didn't speak to the media the day before his start. But he did answer a broad question about the weather after his exhibition start in Philadelphia last weekend. "I'm feeling comfortable with the changes in climate. I'm told what to expect in each region," said Matsuzaka. "I'm not too concerned with the climate changes in each city."

The bigger change will be in the ferocity of the hitters Matsuzaka will face. The American League has the type of lineups he never saw in Japan. There is confidence, however, that Matsuzaka will stand tall amid the challenge. The Red Sox just want Matsuzaka to do what he did all spring. "He throws all his pitches for strikes," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He had a good spring. Hopefully now that will carry over to a long successful career. We're happy we have him. Now the season starts and it will be exciting to watch his progression."

At least during Spring Training, Matsuzaka appeared ready to live up to his lofty billing, going 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA in five starts. Matsuzaka was a legend in Japan during his eight-year career with the Seibu Lions. He went 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA while producing 1,355 strikeouts. Matsuzaka also led Japan to victory in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. En route to the MVP award, Matsuzaka went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

Sources: AP & MLB.com