Many professional baseball players opt not to play in the World Baseball Classic for fear of injury. Not Daisuke Matsuzaka.
According to WEEI.com, when asked about future WBC participation, Matsuzaka nodded, saying through a translator, "If they want me and I’m called upon."
Matsuzaka was a repeat MVP in the 2006 and 2009 editions of the classic, though his success didn't transfer to the regular season the second time around.
In 2006, his success gained him publicity and acclaim. In 2009, Matsuzaka rushed his preparation for the MLB season, and he struggled to pitch through injuries. He only managed to start 12 games in 2009, and in those 12 starts his ERA ballooned to 5.76. It was a dramatic fall from 2008, when he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA.
Matsuzaka said he does not differentiate between pitching for the Red Sox and pitching for his country. But, having the chance to play for Japan in the Classic is not something he takes lightly.
"I don’t try to divide up the game of baseball into two different categories," Matsuzaka told WEEI. "There’s a consciousness or an awareness that you are representing your country, and I think especially when your whole team feels that way, and that’s the atmosphere you’re inside, you can’t help but feel that’s part of your motivation."
Matsuzaka’s current contract with the Red Sox — a six-year, $52 million pact — extends through 2012, expiring a year before the next tournament.
