Boston – Kazuo Matsui, by any accounting, is largely responsible for the Rockies’ climb back to respectability. Matsui came off the disabled list and the Rockies have gone off, compiling a 13-7 record.
The man who played a large part in Matsui’s career, and arguably his current offensive surge, stood behind the black rope during batting practice Tuesday wearing a Red Sox jacket and a smile. It was Osamu Higashio, Matsui’s and Daisuke Matsuzaka’s manager with the Seibu Lions, who encouraged the Rockies’ second baseman to be a switch hitter.
A natural right-hander, Matsui, who has batted .303 since returning from the DL, has now become more dangerous from the left side.
“He is like my son,” Higashio said. “I worked with him in his second year as a professional. He has special ability.”
Higashio accelerated Matsui’s development with tough tactics. He had Matsui wear protective gear on his arm, and he threw pitches at him. Fear removed, Matsui quickly became comfortable from the left side.
“He uses his hands so well,” said Rockies hitting instructor Alan Cockrell. “I think he could hit for power if he wanted, but with our team we need him to get on base and create chaos.”
Matsui’s trip to Boston has been memorable. He had dinner with Matsuzaka and Higashio on Monday. As the media trailed Todd Helton, Matsui brought Higashio into the Rockies’ clubhouse and visited briefly. Facing Matsuzaka’s team brought mixed feelings.
“It’s going to be different,” Matsui said. “I think Daisuke has done a great job adjusting. He’s used to the attention. The media has been around him since he was in high school.”
Focusing on Fenway
More than a few Rockies players brought disposable cameras, taking pictures of Fenway Park during early batting practice.
Jeff Baker, Jamey Carroll and Chris Iannetta made a point to go inside the Green Monster and sign their names. There are thousands of autographs – Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk pointed out his from nearly 20 years ago.
“Absolutely I did it,” Baker said. “There’s a lot of history here.”
Added Carroll, “You hear all about it, and like Wrigley Field, when you are here it doesn’t disappoint.”
Asked if he saw the Red Sox’s Manny Ramirez sleeping in the Monster, Baker said, “No, but I did see him in the weight room.”
Footnotes
While there was no progress with first-round selection Casey Weathers, eighth-round pick Parker Frazier has signed. … Josh Fogg believes the Red Sox’s lack of familiarity with him should work to his advantage. “You can only learn so much from videotape,” he said.
