The ink is just now drying on Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka’s contract with the Boston Red Sox. There’s been a lot of cross-continental intrigue over the past few days, building up to today’s deadline for the signing. Even though he had little leverage, in that the Red Sox had bought sole rights to his potential contract, his mystique loomed large during these negotiations. And the Japanese notion of respect predictably ruled. Matsuzaka made clear to his American agent that he needed to feel personal respect from the Red Sox….and he needed the Red Sox to demonstrate how much respect the American Major Leagues have for Japanese players and the game they bring across the Pacific.
