by Joe Gura
(Editor's Note: This column originally published on April 13, 2007) Daisuke Matsuzaka was all ready for his big debut at Fenway Park this week in front of his new home crowd. The stage was set for baseball's biggest import in years to make his grand entrance.
A hot-stove off-season full of media attention? Check.
Sports Illustrated cover and long feature during spring training? Check.
Strong debut on the road, followed by gushing reviews? Check.
The visiting team in Fenway folding like a house of cards, withering at the mere spectacle of him? With rowdy Red Sox Nation behind him, in one of baseball's most historic settings, as the backdrop of a near-certain drive to victory?
Well, you still have to hand it to Daisuke- 3-for-4 is almost never a bad day in this game.
Given my opening day column, there were many naysayers questioning my sanity, among other things, as I insisted on the promise of these '07 Mariners. Thanks to the snow-outs, rain-outs, and freeze-outs, we haven't seen as much of them as we should, but Wednesday's victory in Boston should be seen as a bellwether for what this team is capable of.
Somebody forgot to tell the Mariners they were supposed to go quietly on Wednesday night. Somebody forgot to pass on to the visitors that it's routine for teams to lose coming off a 14-3 drubbing the day before, then facing perhaps the most hyped pitcher to enter the major leagues this decade? Most importantly, somebody forgot to tell Felix Hernandez that it wasn't supposed to be his night.
King Felix had it going all night long, blowing through the vaunted Red Sox lineup, giving up just one hit and two walks. 29 batters faced, a complete game and six strikeouts, the box score also tells us.
The bigger question is, what does that tell us about this team? In a 162-game season, baseball is just like life- a blur with a couple of golden moments along the way that stand out, a shining landmark on the horizon that always stays in your rear-view mirror.
This game in Boston Wednesday night could be that big. This could be that building block that the M's have been waiting for these past few seasons. After going through enough of these seasons, we all know a great win when we see one. Let's stay tuned, and see where this ride takes us.
Joe Gura writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. The opinions expressed in this column are solely his.
