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MLB

Dice-K Mania Expected to Hit Knights Stadium on Sunday

By
June 15, 2013

(Fort Mill, SC) - Daisuke Matsuzaka, who won 50 games for the Boston Red Sox over parts of the past six seasons, is expected to start for the Columbus Clippers on Sunday, June 16 at Knights Stadium in their 2:15 p.m. game against the Charlotte Knights. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and the Knights will celebrate Father's Day at the ballpark. 

Tickets for Sunday's game are on sale now and can be purchased in person at Knights Stadium, by phone at 704-357-8071 ext. 2106, or online at www.charlotteknights.com. 

A native of Tokoyo, Japan, Matsuzaka was a star baseball player in his native country. The 32-year-old made his professional debut on April 7, 1999 for the Seibu Lions and went on to win the Pacific League Rookie of the Year that season. Among some of his other accomplishments in Japan, Matsuzaka was a seven-time NPB All-Star, a seven-time Mitsui Gold Glove Award-winner, a four-time NPB strikeout leader, a three-time NPB win-leader, and a two-time NPB ERA leader.

In the fall of 2006, Matsuzaka was one of the most sought-after free agents. On November 14, 2006, the Boston Red Sox won the bidding rights to Matsuzaka and later agreed to a deal with him on December 14, 2006.

Matsuzaka made his Major League debut on April 5, 2007 and went on to post a 15-12 record for the Red Sox that season. "Dice-K" won 23 games over a two-season span with the Red Sox from 2007-2008 and helped lead the Sox to a World Series Championship in 2007. He won game three of the 2007 World Series (October 27, 2007) against the Colorado Rockies.

The 2008 season was his finest as a Major Leaguer. That season, he finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting after posting an impressive 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts.

More recently, "Dice-K" signed on with the Cleveland Indians in 2013 and has since appeared in six games with the Columbus Clippers. The Japanese native is 0-2 with a 3.47 ERA in six starts with the Clippers this season. 

Sunday is Father's Day and the Knights have a special day planned for all dads at the ballpark. The Knights, along with 96.9 The Kat, will be giving away a gas grill from Badcock Furniture and $500 in meats from The Meat House to one lucky dad. All dads will also be able to "Play Catch" on the field with their son or daughter after the game. Sunday is always Family Day at the ballpark, thanks to BB&T and all kids can "Run the Bases" after the game, thanks to Moe's Southwest Grill. Knights Baseball… Tradition Never Ends.