Matsuzaka rocked by 5 runs against Oakland in 1st inning

Wednesday 15th April, 09:09 PM JST

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5 Comments

Howardtheduck at 09:43 PM JST - 15th April

Now there is talk of Matsuzaka going on the DL due to 'arm fatigue'. The management believes it is because of Matsuzaka's workload during the WBC. I doubt most American teams will let their players join the next WBC, regardless of nationality.
pathat at 11:24 PM JST - 15th April

I said a week ago:

"The idea of trying to ratchet up the players' form in March to peak levels is absurd when faced with the daily grind from April to October in MLB and NPB, but Japan did it anyway in 2006 and 2009. Now with guys like Murata and Ichiro hurting and hurting their teams in the process, it should raise more question marks about having the preseason WBC."

Now let's add Daisuke Matsuzaka to the list.

The Boston Red Sox have a $103 million investment in Matsuzaka over 6 years through 2012.

Ichiro Suzuki has missed his team's first 8 games. He is under contract to the Seattle Mariners to the tune of 5 years/$90 million through 2012.

The Japanese players in MLB decided that their allegiance was first and foremost to Japan, and not their employers in MLB and the fans of their teams.

The desperate lengths the Japanese people go to in order to build up their fragile national ego is mind-boggling.

Nice work, Ichiro and Dice-K!
some14some at 01:48 PM JST - 16th April

Matsuzaka will finish half of this season like that only because i dont think 'arm fatigue' is the only type of fatigue plus 'stress' may appear at any stage.
fightfan2008 at 02:08 PM JST - 16th April

The desperate lengths the Japanese people go to in order to build up their fragile national ego is mind-boggling.

Pretty negative stretch don't you think? Afterall, being that the WBC is an international tourney you cant honestly expect that Japan is the only team playing for national pride. Afterall, Americans Chipper Jones and Kevin Youkilis were also injured during the WBC.

And even so, I actually think its good that players in the big leagues are willing to sacrafice their MLB stock to play for their country. I can't speak for everyone in the U.S. but I know that there are a lot of American baseball fans who are dissapointed that some players declined the invitation due to pressure from club management.
pathat at 01:12 AM JST - 17th April

I disagree fightfan. My opinion is built on being an American, a life-long baseball fan, and an ex-pat in Japan for 13 years.

It is not good that "players in the big leagues are willing to sacrifice their MLB stock" to play in the WBC, and I've expressed my feelings as to why on numerous occasions on JT, especially last month, but I'll cover some of the main points one more time.

When the WBC is played, you're talking about the participating players being involved in real games for as much as 8 months. We can't have it both ways. Either come up with a shortened version of the seasons in MLB, NPB etc. once every 4 years when it is scheduled to be played, and have the WBC at a time of the year when the players are in peak form, or don't have it all. It does no justice to the game the way it is currently scheduled and conducted, and jeopardizes the careers of the players involved, especially the pitchers.

Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka have not lived up to their contractual obligations to their teams in MLB and the expectations of their fans because of their participation in the WBC. This is wrong.