Sox fans love stars, want wins

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It has been a long-awaited day. The Fenway Park debut of Boston Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka today will receive the media attention usually reserved for playoff games.

It will be particularly monitored in Japan where it will be the wee hours of the morning.

Ironically, the first man he will face will be Seattle sensation Ichiro Suzuki.

There was a time when Japanese players were regarded as Triple A-caliber players.

Ichiro has quickly dismissed that notion with several All-Star campaigns. So has New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui. And there have been others.

Matsuzaka is in a unique situation. Boston won a bidding war for him. There was an unusual price tag of $51 million just to negotiate with him.

He is regarded as a can’t miss prospect.

Playing in Boston is a special experience. As it is in New York.

It’s like playing soccer for Manchester United or hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens.

Expectations are very high.

Every pitch and every swing is scrutinized for 162 games a season. That is magnified in the playoffs.

If there isn’t a postseason, the team is digested piece by piece in the media and suggestions are made as to how to rectify the situation.

One of the interesting aspects of Matsuzaka’s demeanor is that he appears to thrive on the pressure.

He had an entourage at spring training with the Japanese media horde and that entourage is following him everywhere.

Baseball is the major sport in Japan and they religiously follow their players in the major leagues.

You need a thick skin to play in Boston or New York.

I’m sure he is learning that.

However, if you live up to expectations, the adulation you receive can be daunting.

You are hoisted on a pedestal. You own the city.

The 2004 Red Sox, who annexed the first World Series title in 86 years, will never be forgotten in New England.

Can you imagine the reception Roger Clemens would receive if he decided to pitch in Boston this season?

The Red Sox tastefully honored the 1967 Impossible Dream team before Tuesday’s home-opening 14-3 win over Seattle.

That team didn’t win the World Series but the dramatic turnaround from the previous season provided a lasting memory.

The thing about Red Sox fans is we have terrific memories.

And that applies to the bad Red Sox teams as well.

The Red Sox are an addiction.

We sympathized with good players who played on those laughing-stock Red Sox teams.

Billy Monbouquette would have won a lot of games for a good team. Instead, he was forced to toil for bad Red Sox teams.

Pete Runnels was a heckuva’ hitter for many years in Fenway Park.

Then there was the late Earl Wilson, a pitcher who hit 35 homers in 740 major league at-bats.

Losing isn’t tolerated at Fenway Park any more and the Red Sox have the financial resources necessary to be competitive every year.

Baseball is set up so the wealthy teams usually win.

Daisuke will provide excitement every time he takes the mound, much the same as Pedro Martinez used to.

New Englanders love stars, especially if they’re wearing Red Sox uniforms.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.