松坂ＵＰＤＡＴＥ、Boston Heraldの記事 -- シリングの存在感

Late last season, Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling predicted club officials would increase the team’s payroll in 2007. Given the 40-year-old pitcher might be entering the final season of his career, Schilling stands to benefit more than anyone from the lavish spending.

With the acquisitions the Sox have made this winter, Schilling believes they are back in business.

Here’s what Schilling wrote in an e-mail in the wake of Thursday’s announcement that the Sox had signed Daisuke Matsuzaka to a six-year, $52 million contract:

“I’m ecstatic about the move, and the fact that this kid stepped in and made this happen against some other people’s advice speaks volumes to his character.

“There is no way the pressure cooker he is coming into is even close to the one he’s already been pitching in since high school. The potential for this rotation is pretty impressive and I am excited about being part of that.

“The ownership here has once again proven that there is no barrier they won’t cross to do whatever they can to field a team capable of winning a World Series. As a player, I can ask nothing more of the people I work for; just give us a chance and the accountability then falls on us, and they’ve done that.

“As with any other team, the saying is now that same old cliche: If we can stay healthy there is nothing we can’t do.”

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日本語も勉強しているというシリングは、松坂の頼りになる大先輩。