baseball
11/16/2006
Show me the Yen: Red Sox Pay $51.1 Million to Negotiate with Japanese Pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka
What could be worth the price that not even Johnny Damon was to the managers of Red Sox Nation? Apparently there's something worth even more, and it's rough translation is called the Demon Sphere Gyro Ball.
The man who throws it: Daisuke Matsuzaka.
The men who created it: Japanese Scientists.
What it is: I'm not quite sure, but it's supposed to be awesome.
Apparently, the handball was designed by a Japanese computer-scientist, Ryutaro Himeno, to be the ultimate pitch. Using a "live long and prosper" grip, the outward pitching motion helps facilitates what the Star Trek hand-symbol intended. By cutting down stress on the pitcher, Himeno’s Demon ball helps facilitate more innings pitched.
Some claim that the fancy finger through is nothing more than a glorified slider, but others, including the Red Sox and Yankees see more to it. The Red Sox, in particular, have paid $51.1 million (¥6 Billion) just to negotiate with the prized pitcher.
It's important to keep in mind-- $51 mil gives no guarantee that Matsuzaka will be wearing a B on his hat come April. The pay out only means that Boston general manager Theo Epstein will have a chance to practice his Japanese for the next month.
That said, as a Dodger fan who lived next to Fenway during the Red Sox championship run, I never thought I'd say this. But, the Red Sox have officially passed the Yankees as the most obnoxious checkbook in the Major Leagues.
Hopefully, the BoSox will prevent a second-straight year with no post-season and have something to show for it.
