PROPS, he has been the glue holding it ALL together in BOSTON.
Okajima heading to All-Star Game
07/05/2007 6:45 PM ET
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox Nation -- which now extends all the way to Japan -- has proved what a powerful force it can be once again with Thursday's announcement that Hideki Okajima has won the American League's Monster 2007 All-Star Final Vote ballot.
Okajima is the third Red Sox player to win the Final Vote competition since its inception in 2002. Johnny Damon won the inaugural AL vote that summer, and Jason Varitek -- the current captain of the Red Sox -- captured the honor in 2003.
In the case of lefty reliever Okajima, he got massive support from two continents. Though Daisuke Matsuzaka was the player from Japan who got all the hype when the Red Sox acquired him over the offseason, Okajima has been every bit as valuable to the success of the team.
He has given the Red Sox a front-line setup man to put in front of All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon. In fact, Okajima will have plenty of familiar company in San Francisco for the All-Star festivities, where he'll be joined by teammates Papelbon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell.
Okajima trailed Tigers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman as of late Monday afternoon but then catapulted to the top and stayed there. Also on the ballot were Twins setup man Pat Neshek, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and Angels right-handed starter Kelvim Escobar. Votes were conducted online at MLB.com.
Okajima, who dubbed himself a "hero in the dark" in Spring Training, has been arguably as valuable as any member of the Red Sox this season.
A solid veteran during his 12 years in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okajima has been dominant for the Red Sox, posting a 0.88 ERA in his first 38 Major League outings. He has held opponents to a .156 average and has 8.12 strikeouts per nine innings. The key to Okajima's emergence has been his changeup, which dives like a splitter. Okajima basically created the pitch while experimenting with the Major League-sized baseball in December. The baseball used in the Major Leagues is said to be slicker and a little bigger and heavier than the one used in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Okajima's emergence has been a big bright spot for the Red Sox, who have led the American League East by a comfortable margin for most of the first half.
"It's been great to see," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He's been a vital member of the bullpen and of the team since we broke camp in April. He didn't have his curveball in Spring Training. And instead of worrying about it, he went out and further developed his changeup, and made that a plus-plus pitch for him. Now he's got his curveball back, he's locating his fastball on both sides and showing great makeup on the mound as well. So he's done an excellent job."
Though he's in just his first Major League season, Okajima sensed that the opportunity doesn't come along all that often for a setup man to go to the All-Star Game.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Okajima said earlier this week. "And that's why I want to play in the All-Star Game this year." He got his wish, thanks to overwhelming support from his fans.
Okajima heading to All-Star Game
07/05/2007 6:45 PM ET
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox Nation -- which now extends all the way to Japan -- has proved what a powerful force it can be once again with Thursday's announcement that Hideki Okajima has won the American League's Monster 2007 All-Star Final Vote ballot.
Okajima is the third Red Sox player to win the Final Vote competition since its inception in 2002. Johnny Damon won the inaugural AL vote that summer, and Jason Varitek -- the current captain of the Red Sox -- captured the honor in 2003.
In the case of lefty reliever Okajima, he got massive support from two continents. Though Daisuke Matsuzaka was the player from Japan who got all the hype when the Red Sox acquired him over the offseason, Okajima has been every bit as valuable to the success of the team.
He has given the Red Sox a front-line setup man to put in front of All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon. In fact, Okajima will have plenty of familiar company in San Francisco for the All-Star festivities, where he'll be joined by teammates Papelbon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell.
Okajima trailed Tigers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman as of late Monday afternoon but then catapulted to the top and stayed there. Also on the ballot were Twins setup man Pat Neshek, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and Angels right-handed starter Kelvim Escobar. Votes were conducted online at MLB.com.
Okajima, who dubbed himself a "hero in the dark" in Spring Training, has been arguably as valuable as any member of the Red Sox this season.
A solid veteran during his 12 years in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okajima has been dominant for the Red Sox, posting a 0.88 ERA in his first 38 Major League outings. He has held opponents to a .156 average and has 8.12 strikeouts per nine innings. The key to Okajima's emergence has been his changeup, which dives like a splitter. Okajima basically created the pitch while experimenting with the Major League-sized baseball in December. The baseball used in the Major Leagues is said to be slicker and a little bigger and heavier than the one used in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Okajima's emergence has been a big bright spot for the Red Sox, who have led the American League East by a comfortable margin for most of the first half.
"It's been great to see," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He's been a vital member of the bullpen and of the team since we broke camp in April. He didn't have his curveball in Spring Training. And instead of worrying about it, he went out and further developed his changeup, and made that a plus-plus pitch for him. Now he's got his curveball back, he's locating his fastball on both sides and showing great makeup on the mound as well. So he's done an excellent job."
Though he's in just his first Major League season, Okajima sensed that the opportunity doesn't come along all that often for a setup man to go to the All-Star Game.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Okajima said earlier this week. "And that's why I want to play in the All-Star Game this year." He got his wish, thanks to overwhelming support from his fans.
He's got one of the neatest looking deliverys too. He doesnt even look at the plate when he throws! Everyone who hasnt got a chance to see this kid pitch will finally get too.
It's good to see Dice and his Pal Okijima having a good time over here in Boston.
Shades of Ichiro. Because if you remember, when Suzuki first came over the Mariners had the best record. I just hope the playoffs go better than theirs did.
