Daisuke Matsuzaka


Date of Birth: 9/13/1980
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Daisuke Matsuzaka started playing organized baseball while in third grade in Japan. By the time he was in high school, he was a top player. In 1998, he joined a Japanese major league team. The following year, he led the Pacific League in wins and he was named the league's Rookie of the Year. In 1999, he also won his first of seven Gold Gloves. Matsuzaka's accomplishments in Japan from 2000 to 2006 include:

  • 6 Gold Glove awards (2001, 2003-2006)
  • Pacific League leader in wins (2000, 2001)
  • Pacific League leader in ERA (2003, 2004)
  • Pacific League leader in strikeouts (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005)

In 2006, Matsuzaka won the World Baseball Classic MVP award. In November of that year, he signed with the Boston Red Sox. He had a strong first season in the US major leagues in 2007, pitching 204.2 innings in 32 games. He finished the 2007 season with a 15-12 record, a career high 201 strikeouts (to 80 walks), and a 4.40 ERA. The next season, he had a career high 18 wins (to 3 losses) and a career low ERA of 2.90.

Matsuzaka missed most of the 2009 season due to injuries. He played in just 12 games with Boston that year. He started the 2010 season on the DL with a neck strain and finished the season with a 9-6 record and a 4.69 ERA in 25 games. In 2011, he had Tommy John surgery and he pitched in just 8 games with Boston that season.

Matsuzaka returned from his surgery in 2012 and he pitched poorly in 11 games with the Red Sox. He pitched just 45.2 innings and he had a 1-7 record and an 8.28 ERA. He became a free agent after the 2012 season ended and in February, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. After playing just in the minors for the Indians, he requested his release. On August 22, 2013, two days after the Indians released him, he signed with the Mets.

In 2014, Matsuzaka pitched as both a starter and as a relief pitcher for the Mets. He finished the season with a 3-3 record, 1 save, 78 strikeouts to 50 walks, and a 3.89 ERA in 83.1 innings in 34 games.

On December 5, 2014, Matsuzaka announced his decision to continue his baseball career back in Japan.

Career pitching statistics for Matsuzaka through 2014 include:

  • 158 games played
  • 790.1 innings pitched
  • 56-43 win-loss record
  • 720 strikeouts to 387 walks
  • 4.45 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Daisuke Matsuzaka
ESPN - Daisuke Matsuzaka