Boston Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka giving it one last try

If former Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to resurrect his career, this may be his last chance.

There was a time when former Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka had been considered one of the best pitchers in the world. He dominated in Japan, and was expected to do the same in the majors. The Red Sox won his services with a then record $51.1 million posting bid, then gave Matsuzaka a six year deal for just under $51.7 million.

He had two good seasons, then struggled with injuries throughout the rest of his major league career. After his contract with the Red Sox ended, Matsuzaka spent two years with the Mets, before heading back to Japan. However, his earlier workload had caught up with him, as Matsuzaka appeared in only one game in the past three seasons. In that outing, the former star was battered for five runs, two earned, on three hits and two walks. However, he still showed flashes of his former self, striking out two batters in his inning of work.

Despite his struggles, Matsuzaka is giving it another shot. The 37 year old signed with the Chunichi Dragons this offseason, hoping to end his career on a positive note. He threw 32 pitches in his first bullpen on Saturday, feeling healthier than he expected.

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Naturally, every pitch that Matsuzaka is going to be scrutinized heavily. He is still one of the more famous players in Nippon Professional Baseball, a player whose incredible exploits from the previous decade live on in the minds of fans. He has been a World Series champion, won the World Baseball Classic with Japan, and is one of the more decorated pitchers in NPB history.

Even if he never throws another pitcher, he has likely cemented his place in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. Although he was never able to match that success in the majors, he did win 15 or more games twice, and finished fourth in the 2008 Cy Young vote. Had those injuries not derailed his time stateside, he may have been able to fulfill his potential with the Red Sox as well.

Instead, Matsuzaka is a long way from those cheering crowds at Fenway Park. His hype is a thing of the past. And yet, although he certainly does not need to be, he is there in Spring Training with the Dragons, aiming to prove he has something left. Everyone wants to go out on their own terms, and Matsuzaka is no different.

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Former Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka is trying to make a comeback. The eyes of Japanese baseball fans everywhere will be watching his every pitch during this attempt.