Dice-KKKKKKKKKK

"It's great that I was able to record a victory in my first start," the moonfaced pitcher said through his translator. "Up until now, given all the expectations -- they were a little bit extreme -- but I'm happy."

He's not the only one happy. Red Sox owner John W. Henry, the man who approved the whopping $51.1 million posting fee to acquire Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions, was also happy. Same for general manager Theo Epstein, who negotiated Dice-K's $52 million, six-year pact.

"It was nice to see him get off to a good start," said Epstein, who watched from the stands. "It was an organization-wide effort to get this guy. We put a lot on the line, but this is really just the beginning. It's always great to watch a pitcher who has a lot of different weapons."

Dice-K emptied his toolbox in the chilly climate. He threw fastballs, sliders, changeups, curves, splitters, cut fastballs, and two-seam fastballs in 108 pitches. Maybe even a gyro or two. It was mildly reminiscent of Pedro Martínez's first game with the Red Sox in 1998, when the Dominican Diva fanned 11 Oakland A's in a 2-0 victory.

Cynics can cite the brutal hitting conditions and the caliber of the traditionally last-place Royals lineup, but in his first game Matsuzaka delivered on all the expectations that accompanied his celebrated journey to America's major leagues.

"Expectations, from what I've heard so far, are unreachable," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "But he's got this thing figured out better than anybody else. He loves to pitch, he enjoys the game, and he's pretty good."