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Although the year {{baseball year|1998}} is often associated with Matsuzaka's stellar performance as the [[Ace (baseball)|ace pitcher]] for [[Yokohama]] Senior High School in the 80th National High School Baseball Championship, it was also the [[Twelfth grade|final year]] of [[high school]] for many current NPB players. Some went on to the pros immediately after high school, while others did so after playing in [[college]] or the industrial leagues.
Although the year {{baseball year|1998}} is often associated with Matsuzaka's stellar performance as the [[Ace (baseball)|ace pitcher]] for [[Yokohama]] Senior High School in the 80th National High School Baseball Championship, it was also the [[Twelfth grade|final year]] of [[high school]] for many current NPB players. Some went on to the pros immediately after high school, while others did so after playing in [[college]] or the industrial leagues.



The under18 [[Japan national baseball team]], with Matsuzaka as the ace, defeated under18 [[Chinese Taipei national baseball team]] with [[Chang Chih-chia]] as the ace to become Asian champions on Matsuzaka's 18th birthday,13 September.
The under18 [[Japan national baseball team]], with Matsuzaka as the ace, defeated under18 [[Chinese Taipei national baseball team]] with [[Chang Chih-chia]] as the ace to become Asian champions on Matsuzaka's 18th birthday,13 September.Chang started the match as [[DH]].

⚫
Chang recorded a shutout win against the Japan National Baseball Team in the [[2001 Baseball World Cup]] third-place play-off, which Matsuzaka did not participate in, and became the pitcher with the Pitcher with best win/loss average.


At the NPB draft [[Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | Nippon-Ham Fighters]] and [[Yokohama DeNA BayStars | Yokohama BayStars]] After three teams competed, [[Saitama Seibu Lions|Seibu Lions]] won the right to negotiate (The first choice was Yokohama [[Katsuaki Furuki]], and Nippon-Ham [[Kazunari Sanematsu]], both in the same third year high school). In a press conference immediately after his draft, he said, "I wanted to be a member of the Yokohama BayStars."
At the NPB draft [[Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | Nippon-Ham Fighters]] and [[Yokohama DeNA BayStars | Yokohama BayStars]] After three teams competed, [[Saitama Seibu Lions|Seibu Lions]] won the right to negotiate (The first choice was Yokohama [[Katsuaki Furuki]], and Nippon-Ham [[Kazunari Sanematsu]], both in the same third year high school). In a press conference immediately after his draft, he said, "I wanted to be a member of the Yokohama BayStars."
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Six months later, on March 25, 2008, Matsuzaka was the opening pitcher against the [[Oakland Athletics]] at the [[Tokyo Dome]]. However, he has no chance to play against Matsuzaka generation hitters again.However, Athletics opening pitcher [[Joe Blanton]],Also the Matsuzaka generation. However, the [[American League]] did not stand at bat due to the application of the DH system.
Six months later, on March 25, 2008, Matsuzaka was the opening pitcher against the [[Oakland Athletics]] at the [[Tokyo Dome]]. However, he has no chance to play against Matsuzaka generation hitters again.However, Athletics opening pitcher [[Joe Blanton]],Also the Matsuzaka generation. However, the [[American League]] did not stand at bat due to the application of the DH system.


The term is typically only used in reference to Japanese players, but the Japanese media has, at times, referred to other (non-Japanese) major leaguers born during the aforementioned span as belonging to the "Matsuzaka Generation", most notably former Red Sox pitchers [[Josh Beckett]] and [[Jonathan Papelbon]].<ref>[http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/centralleague2-17-2007.html "Central League Report: Notebook,"] ''Japan Baseball Daily'' (Feb. 17, 2007).</ref> Many other established major leagues belong to this age group, including [[Atlanta Braves]] pitcher [[Jung Bong]],[[Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Cha-Seung Baek]],[[New York Yankees]] pitcher [[CC Sabathia|C.C. Sabathia]], [[Los Angeles Angels]] pitcher [[Dan Haren]], [[New York Mets]] outfielder [[Curtis Granderson]], [[Houston Astros]] pitcher [[Brett Myers]], Phillies outfielder [[Shane Victorino]], [[Chicago White Sox]] outfielder [[Alex Ríos]], [[Tampa Bay Rays]] [[First baseman|first]]/[[third baseman]] [[Hank Blalock]], [[Cleveland Indians]] first baseman/outfielder [[Nick Swisher]] and free agent pitcher [[Mark Prior]].
The term is typically only used in reference to Japanese players, but the Japanese media has, at times, referred to other (non-Japanese) major leaguers born during the aforementioned span as belonging to the "Matsuzaka Generation", most notably former Red Sox pitchers [[Josh Beckett]] and [[Jonathan Papelbon]].<ref>[http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/centralleague2-17-2007.html "Central League Report: Notebook,"] ''Japan Baseball Daily'' (Feb. 17, 2007).</ref> Many other established major leagues belong to this age group, including [[Atlanta Braves]] pitcher [[Jung Bong]],[[Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Cha-Seung Baek]],[[New York Yankees]] pitcher [[CC Sabathia|C.C. Sabathia]], [[Los Angeles Angels]] pitcher [[Dan Haren]], [[New York Mets]] outfielder [[Curtis Granderson]], [[Houston Astros]] pitcher [[Brett Myers]], Phillies outfielder [[Shane Victorino]], [[Chicago White Sox]] outfielder [[Alex Ríos]], [[Texas Rangers (baseball)]] [[First baseman|first]]/[[third baseman]] [[Hank Blalock]], [[Cleveland Indians]] first baseman/outfielder [[Nick Swisher]] and free agent pitcher [[Mark Prior]].




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[[Bryan Bullington]] was the first overall pick in the [[2002 Major League Baseball draft|2002 draft]] by the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].Bullington is the only Matsuzaka generation to [[list of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks|First overall Major League Baseball draft picks]].
[[Bryan Bullington]] was the first overall pick in the [[2002 Major League Baseball draft|2002 draft]] by the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].Bullington is the only Matsuzaka generation to [[list of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks|First overall Major League Baseball draft picks]].


===The world's top player who played an active part in the international tournament with no MLB experience===
===The world's top player of the　Matsuzaka generation who played an active part in international tournaments and played against Matsuzaka despite having no MLB experience other than Chang ===
The under18 [[Japan national baseball team]], with Matsuzaka as the ace, defeated under18 [[Chinese Taipei national baseball team]] with [[Chang Chih-chia]] as the ace to become Asian champions on Matsuzaka's 18th birthday,13 September.

⚫
Chang recorded a shutout win against the Japan National Baseball Team in the [[2001 Baseball World Cup]] third-place play-off, which Matsuzaka did not participate in, and became the pitcher with the Pitcher with best win/loss average.

[[Rodney van Buizen]] went 0 in 3 at bat in the 2004 Athens Olympics semi-finals as the 9th shortstop. He struck out in his second at-bat against losing pitcher Matsuzaka, who started the game.
[[Rodney van Buizen]] went 0 in 3 at bat in the 2004 Athens Olympics semi-finals as the 9th shortstop. He struck out in his second at-bat against losing pitcher Matsuzaka, who started the game.


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Matsuzaka was selected as the MVP of the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the second time in a row, and in the first round at the Tokyo Dome, he started against the South Korea and was the winning pitcher.[[Lee Jin-young]], who participated in the previous year's Beijing Olympics, hit a single from Matsuzaka in his first at-bat.
Matsuzaka was selected as the MVP of the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the second time in a row, and in the first round at the Tokyo Dome, he started against the South Korea and was the winning pitcher.[[Lee Jin-young]], who participated in the previous year's Beijing Olympics, hit a single from Matsuzaka in his first at-bat.

Former [[ssireum]] wrestler [[Hongman Choi]] is Lee's best friend.


Lee did not participate in Matsuzaka's 1999 Asian Baseball Championship or the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Lee did not participate in Matsuzaka's 1999 Asian Baseball Championship or the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
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*[[Takeshi Honda]]([[figure skate]])
*[[Takeshi Honda]]([[figure skate]])
*[[Yuya Oikawa]]([[speed skate]])
*[[Yuya Oikawa]]([[speed skate]])
*[[Yoshihiro Sato]]([[K-1]] Fighter)
*[[Yoshihiro Sato]]([[K-1]],[[Kickboxing]],[[Muaythai]])
*[[Nobuchika Terado]](K-1 Fighter)
*[[Nobuchika Terado]](K-1,Kickboxing,Muaythai)
*[[Takehiro Kashima]]、[[Hiroyuki Tomita]]、[[Hisashi Mizutori]]([[Gymnast]])
*[[Yusaku Miyazato]]([[professional golfer]])
*[[Yusaku Miyazato]]([[professional golfer]])
*[[Yoshihiko Matsumoto]]([[volleyball]] player)
*[[Yoshihiko Matsumoto]]([[volleyball]] player)

Revision as of 02:17, 27 May 2023

The Matsuzaka Generation (松坂世代, Matsuzaka Sedai) is a term used to collectively describe the (usually Japanese)

grade levels, this term refers to players born between 2 April, 1980, and 1 April, 1981.[2]

The term was coined by the Japanese media as the age group that came to be known as one of the deepest and most talented in Japanese professional baseball history.

Background

Precursor

In

National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament. His popularity, particularly among women, became such a cultural phenomenon that studies showed that Daisuke (in particular, that with the Kanji characterization "大輔") was the most popular name given to newborn infants
in Japan from 1979 to 1986.

Four of the players belonging to the Matsuzaka Generation (namely, Daisuke Matsuzaka, former

Daisuke Katoh, former Hiroshima Toyo Carp pitcher Daisuke Sakai and former Chunichi Dragons
Daisuke Ue) were given this name and Kanji.

Origin

Although the year

high school for many current NPB players. Some went on to the pros immediately after high school, while others did so after playing in college
or the industrial leagues.


The under18 Japan national baseball team, with Matsuzaka as the ace, defeated under18 Chinese Taipei national baseball team with Chang Chih-chia as the ace to become Asian champions on Matsuzaka's 18th birthday,13 September.Chang started the match as DH.

Chang recorded a shutout win against the Japan National Baseball Team in the 2001 Baseball World Cup third-place play-off, which Matsuzaka did not participate in, and became the pitcher with the Pitcher with best win/loss average.

At the NPB draft Nippon-Ham Fighters and Yokohama BayStars After three teams competed, Seibu Lions won the right to negotiate (The first choice was Yokohama Katsuaki Furuki, and Nippon-Ham Kazunari Sanematsu, both in the same third year high school). In a press conference immediately after his draft, he said, "I wanted to be a member of the Yokohama BayStars."

The media coined the term "Matsuzaka Generation" to describe those born between 2 April 1980 and 1 April 1981 for a number of reasons; namely, that an exceedingly high number of players who played in the 80th National High School Baseball Tournament succeeded at the professional level; that many who went on to play at some of the highest levels of Japanese

athletes as well as celebrities were born during this span as well. (It can also be said, in turn, that Matsuzaka was able to enjoy an exceptional career in the pros despite being surrounded by such a concentration of talent.[3]) The name is thus not accredited to any particular team or organization
and is said to have occurred naturally.

While other age groups seen to consist of many talented players have since been given similar names—those born between 2 April 1988 and 1 April 1989 are sometimes referred to as the Handkerchief Generation (ハンカチ世代, Hankachi Sedai) or Saito Generation (斎藤世代, Saitō Sedai) in reference to Waseda University pitcher Yuki Saito or, alternatively, the Tanaka Generation (田中世代, Tanaka Sedai) in reference to New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka—Matsuzaka's age group was the first to be given the name "世代", meaning "Generation". No single age group has produced players who have as yet collectively succeeded at the professional level to the extent to which Matsuzaka's has.

MBS Documentary

On March 3, 2003, major Japanese television network Mainichi Broadcasting System ran a special feature titled "Matsuzaka Generation – Spring, For Each of the 22-Year-Olds" (using the "ジェネレーション", the literal katakana syllabary for "Generation", instead of the Japanese word "世代", or sedai) on its popular documentary television series Jounetsu Tairiku. It covered the lives of various players who belonged to the group, some who had gone on to the pros (Nagisa Arakaki), some who still hoped to be drafted (Katsumi Higaki) and some who had decided to pursue other careers altogether (Satoshi Kamishige), nearly five years after the now-legendary 80th National High School Baseball Championship.

Matsuzaka was the

sumo wrestler Asashōryū Akinori
, who was born two weeks later than Matsuzaka, served as the opening pitch.

Criticism

The term "Matsuzaka Generation" is often used to describe players belonging to this age group more so for its sheer simplicity rather than to recognize the accomplishments of Matsuzaka himself. Despite this, players' reactions to this name being used have been mixed: the

Yokohama BayStars once referred to the age group as the "Koike Generation" for then-BayStars outfielder
Masaaki Koike (now with the Chunichi Dragons) within the team.

"The Last Star"

While all of the players belonging to the group were naturally born within a one-year span, they entered the pros in different years depending on how many years they had spent in college, the industrial and/or the independent leagues (if at all). As the term "Matsuzaka Generation" became more commonplace, the media began to refer to a player who was drafted into the NPB in later years because he had enjoyed an established career at the amateur level prior to going pro as The Last Star of the Matsuzaka Generation (松坂世代最後の大物, Matsuzaka Sedai Saigo no Ōmono).

There is no record of any member of this group who went pro straight after high school or spent four years in college (and was thus drafted in 2003) ever being referred to as "The Last Star". The first player known to have been called by this name is current Hanshin Tigers pitcher Yasutomo Kubo, who spent six years in the industrial leagues before being drafted in 2005 despite being a well-known draft prospect since high school who once led his team to the finals of the 80th National High School Baseball Championship (losing to Yokohama Senior High).

Shortstop Eishin Soyogi was also referred to as "The Last Star of the Matsuzaka Generation" when he played well in his rookie season with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2006, though the title failed to catch on. (The name has only been used for players with established track records at the amateur level, explaining why players like shortstop Naoto Watanabe were not called "The Last Star" when they were drafted in 2007.)

In

gay porn film that caused NPB teams to blackball him and force him to play in the United States.)[4]

The last actual player belonging to this age group to go pro is shortstop/

Shikoku-Kyushu Island League before being drafted by the Golden Eagles in 2008
.

Major League Baseball players

On 25 October, 2006, Scott Boras was announced as Matsuzaka's agent to represent him in any contract dealings in the Major Leagues. On November 2, Matsuzaka was officially granted permission by the Lions to pursue a career in Major League Baseball via the posting system.

On November 14, the Boston Red Sox won a bid for Matsuzaka for $51,111,111.11 after competing with multiple teams.

Matsuzaka helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series as a rookie. He started at Coors Field, the home ground of the Colorado Rockies, and won the game. However, there was no match with the hitter of the Matsuzaka Generation.Since the game did not adopt the DH system, Matsuzaka also recorded two timely hits as the 9th batter.

Six months later, on March 25, 2008, Matsuzaka was the opening pitcher against the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome. However, he has no chance to play against Matsuzaka generation hitters again.However, Athletics opening pitcher Joe Blanton,Also the Matsuzaka generation. However, the American League did not stand at bat due to the application of the DH system.

The term is typically only used in reference to Japanese players, but the Japanese media has, at times, referred to other (non-Japanese) major leaguers born during the aforementioned span as belonging to the "Matsuzaka Generation", most notably former Red Sox pitchers

Cleveland Indians first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher and free agent pitcher Mark Prior
.


Matsuzaka started the game against the United States national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic semifinals and was the winning pitcher. However, Victorino was out of the starting lineup and had no chance to play against him. On May 22, 2010, he became the winning pitcher by keeping the Phillies scoreless in eight innings as a starting pitcher for Red Sox in the interleague. He held Phillies leadoff hitter Victorino to no hits in three at bats.

Bryan Bullington was the first overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.Bullington is the only Matsuzaka generation to First overall Major League Baseball draft picks.

The world's top player of the　Matsuzaka generation who played an active part in international tournaments and played against Matsuzaka despite having no MLB experience other than Chang

Rodney van Buizen went 0 in 3 at bat in the 2004 Athens Olympics semi-finals as the 9th shortstop. He struck out in his second at-bat against losing pitcher Matsuzaka, who started the game.

Matsuzaka faced the

Cuban national baseball team's main hitter, Frederich Cepeda
, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Cepeda participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics without Matsuzaka.

Cepeda helped Cuba win the 2002 Intercontinental Cup (baseball),2006 Intercontinental Cup (baseball),2003 Baseball World Cup and 2005 Baseball World Cup without Matsuzaka.

Cepeda recorded the final solo home run from the starting pitcher in the 2008 Beijing Olympics against Taiwan. However, there was no opportunity to play against Chang, who pitched in relief.but Cuba lost to South Korea national baseball team in the final of the tournament.

Matsuzaka was selected as the MVP of the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the second time in a row, and in the first round at the Tokyo Dome, he started against the South Korea and was the winning pitcher.Lee Jin-young, who participated in the previous year's Beijing Olympics, hit a single from Matsuzaka in his first at-bat.

Former ssireum wrestler Hongman Choi is Lee's best friend.

Lee did not participate in Matsuzaka's 1999 Asian Baseball Championship or the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Matsuzaka Generation Foreign Players Confrontation in NPB

Bullington in 2013 is the only Foreign player of the Matsuzaka generation to

opening pitcher
the regular season of NPB. Cepeda never played in MLB, but played for the Yomiuri Giants in 2014 and 2015.

Cepeda is best friends with world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux in both amateur boxing and professional boxing.

On 18 May, 2014, shortly after becoming a member of the Yomiuri Giants, Cepeda was held to no hits in three at-bats by starting pitcher Bullington in a regular season game against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at the Tokyo Dome.

Bullington moved to the Orix Buffaloes the following year, but had no chance to pitch against the Interleague play (NPB) Yomiuri Giants.

Players

Below is a partial list of said players. It includes only those for which English Wikipedia pages exist .


Nippon Professional Baseball

There were 94 players NPB (excluding foreign players).

Central League

Pacific League

Experienced MLB player

Matsuzaka,Tadano,Wada,Fujikawa

Other figures

Many well-known Japanese male

athletes as well as celebrities
were also born during this aforementioned span.

Below is a partial list of such figures.

References

  1. ^ "Coming to America – Hope of Generation: Japan's youth pinning dreams on Matsuzaka's success,"[permanent dead link] The Patriot Ledger (March 27, 2007).
  2. ^ "Turning Japanese: Boston markets itself to Far Eastern fans," The Portland Phoenix.
  3. ^ Hruby, Patrick. "E-Ticket: Chasing the Demon Sphere," ESPN.
  4. ^ "Minor leaguer: It was a 'one-time incident'". ESPN. 2004-01-28. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  5. ^ "Central League Report: Notebook," Japan Baseball Daily (Feb. 17, 2007).
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