“The reason I came directly to the [United States] is I wanted to try to play here,” Junichi Tazawa said at his first press conference for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. “I wanted to challenge myself.”

Junichi Tazawa is 22 years old and from Japan - where he grew up idolizing Red Sox pitcher, Dice-K. Tazaw will receive a $1.8 million bonus, with salaries of $450,000 in 2009, $500,000 in ‘10, and $550,000 in ‘11.

“I think there is a definite influence of having Daisuke Matsuzaka play here,” Tazawa said. “To me he is the best player and to be able to learn from him is an incredible opportunity for me.”

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