Besides the Japanese word that sounds like the Buckeye State and means “Good morning,” I picked up a couple key Japanese phrases thanks to catcher Alberto Castillo (who carried a list of 15 key phrases on a card and has played with pitchers Hideo Nomo, Keiichi Yabu, and Masato Yoshii).
“Gambate” – Good morning
“Nondai Naiyo” – No problem
Of course I learned these about 15 minutes after Daisuke Matsuzaka came through the locker room (at 8:35). He said “good morning” to us in English, along with “excuse me.” Matsuzaka appears like a very personable guy who is clearly going above and beyond to integrate himself. It’s funny because by all accounts competitive his on-field demeanor is 180 degrees from the mild-mannered image he has portrayed thus far.
A couple of more position players made an appearance: Eric Hinske and Joe McEwing. Hinske, a diehard Green Bay Packers fans, was still stinging from his team’s trouncing at the hands of the Patriots but was optimistic for next season. He is noticeably lighter, having dropped from 245 pounds to 235 thanks to his work with a trainer in Arizona.
McEwing is a long-shot to make the team, but seems he could be of value at some point during the season. “Super Joe” has played every position on the field (except pitcher) over the course of his nine-year career, having played for the Royals last season. He is a life-long Philadelphia 76ers fan and had no hesitation breaking down the merits of whom to draft: Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. He said that he knows Sox manager Terry Francona from having lived 10 minutes away from the skipper’s offseason home. They would often meet up for coffee at the local WaWa and workout at Newtown Athletic Club.
Players just hit the field … will be back later with updates of Francona’s get-together with media, how pitchers threw, ect. Keep the questions coming and I’ll get to them at the end of the day.
