Thousands of fans and perhaps as many media personel will be on hand for the first ptich of today's game between Seattle and Boston. I could be the best in all of MLB. Though, the clicks and flashes of cameras may drown out the cheers.

Too much hype? I think not.

Ichiro paved the way for a new era in baseball. Now new stars are emerging thoughout the majors.

In fact, every division in baseball has a Japanese player, except for the N.L. East (Atlanta, Philly, Mets, Nats and Miami) which in itself is quite surprising considering the size of those markets and the Japanese population in those cities.

The Cardinals have So Taguchi in the outfield. In Tampa Bay there's Akinori Iwamura. Tadahito Iguchi covers second for the White Sox (and my fantasy league). The Sox got a taste of Akinori Otsuka when he closed for Texas. The Rockies have a comeback candidate in Kaz Matsui. In Pittsburgh Masumi Kuwata pitches. Takahashi Saito closes for the Dodgers. In Toronto Tomo Ohka (once with the Sox organization) starts. And the the Yankees have Hideki Matsui and Kei Igawa.

But today, Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka will meet Seattle's Ichiro. MSNBC has a little preview.

Ichiro is regarded as perhaps the best hitter in baseball. Add his arm and speed, he could be the best all-round player in MLB. The man uses his bat like a tennis racket. No pitch is safe. And before the ball reaches the pitcher, he's at first. Quite an impressive sight.

Daisuke is surrounded by hype and thus far he has not disappointed. The Fenway faithful will get its first look at this phenom.

He has six different pitches, each with six different deliveries. He paints corners and drops balls off tables. He can throw beads.

Yes, it's baseball in its purest form.

The two have met before with Daisuke recording a strikeout. But with Ichiro struggling against Beckett, he'll be looking to get out of his mini-slump.

I was at a similar game when Hideo Nomo met Ichiro. Crazy indeed, but this should be more fun and perhaps more chaotic.

By the way: Kenji Jojhima will be catching for the Mariners and I wouldn't be surprised to see Hideki Okajima make a relief appearance.

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