The 26-year-old enigmatic Japanese superstar – Daisuke Matsuzaka - made his first official spring training appearance at a press conference Thursday in Fort Myers.

It cost the Boston Red Sox 51 million dollars for the right to even negotiate with Matsuzaka…better known as “Dice K”. And his 6-year contract is worth another 50-million-dollars...all for a guy who’s yet to thrown a pitch in the majors.

While Dice K got his share of baseball questions - he was also asked about his obvious international media allure. Of the 100 or so reporters on hand more than half were clearly from out of town.

Speaking through an interpreter – the jovial but matter of fact Matszaka said his massive contract has no bearing on his approach to pitching.

“The scale of the contract does not determine how I play baseball. And I feel responsibility…a little bit…but I am not pressured.”

Maybe the best indication of what the arrival of this right hander with rock star status means can be found in the large number of reporters who were interviewing other reporters…long after Dice K had departed the scene.

All eyes are now on Sunday when pitchers and catchers work out for the first time.