Matsuzaka factor mobilizes Red Sox

It is an open question how Daisuke Matsuzaka adjusts to the world of the Boston Red Sox, but it's clear how much the Sox have already transformed that world for their new Japanese pitcher, to a degree unprecedented for anyone else who has ever worn the uniform.

No obstacle is too big. The Sox have literally knocked down ballpark walls to accommodate the large contingent of Japanese media that will be following him. "We're expecting over 100 Japanese members in spring training, and 50 a game on a regular basis during the season," said media relations director John Blake, who has arranged for two additional trailers to handle the media crush in spring training, which opens Friday at the team's minor league facility in Fort Myers, Fla.

New staff? The Sox have provided Matsuzaka with a Japanese-speaking trainer, a Japanese-speaking media liaison (a longtime friend of his wife, Tomoyo), a personal interpreter, and a personal masseuse. An English instructor has been hired to come to spring training and also will be with him during the season.

"We've talked extensively to executives from other clubs who have had Japanese players on their teams, in order to learn what has and has not worked in transitioning the players," said Brian O'Halloran, assistant to general manager Theo Epstein.

Extra effort? New pitching coach John Farrell has been studying Japanese with a tutor. "A humbling experience," he says. Catcher Jason Varitek has already received DVD copies of Matsuzaka's starts in Japan so he can become acquainted with his new batterymate. Traveling secretary Jack McCormick helped line up housing (apartments for Matsuzaka and his staff in spring training, and a leased house -- in the Brookline/Chestnut Hill area, his agent, Scott Boras, hinted -- during the season). Equipment manager Joe Cochran soon will be contacting Japanese restaurants in the Boston area about catering meals to the clubhouse.

Marketing opportunities? Expect to see Japanese advertisers buying signage behind the plate and on the bullpen walls, and a sponsor's logo all over the backdrop when Matsuzaka does postgame interviews. "Good thing he wasn't a left fielder," said Sox marketing VP Sam Kennedy. "There might have been Japanese characters on the Green Monster."

Goodies for the fans? The Sox have plans, on days that Matsuzaka pitches, to hold back 20-30 tickets and offer the "Matsuzaka experience." For a premium price (yet to be set, but sure to be lots of yen), fans will be invited to the park early, receive a Matsuzaka Sox jersey, and have dinner at one of the team's restaurants. Japanese tour operators are being enticed to offer groups access to Fenway Park on non-game days, to hold a cocktail party, luncheon, or other function, since it's so hard to know in advance when Matsuzaka might be pitching. There also will be tours of the ballpark given in Japanese, as part of a new initiative to provide multilingual guides on tape.Continued...