Title: Boston Globe Across The Divide for December 24, 2006

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" Welcome to another addition of across the divide for the week of December 30. I must've been dressed in Boston with the selection of story highlights on people of color around England. This week today is a very significant day very important day for the Red Sox we're welcoming Daisuke Matsuzaka his wife to Moya is Nikko. The Boston into the Red Sox family but we're really doing is announcing the signing of the national treasure."

" not to soccer mania. The Boston Red Sox announced this month a sign of Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka that's -- excitement all around Red Sox nation. The pitching ace in it whopping six year 52 million dollar contract. But no dollar amount could be placed on the excitement felt by Asian American baseball fans in the area. Globe edit toward designer tackle -- want to is one of those fans. He said months of soccer is the Michael Jordan a Japanese baseball across the divide spoke with would you wanna about much it's hockey media. And what this means Japanese Americans in Boston."

" In this courthouse I think he he is they now. He's so humble one picture at Abu wanted to be -- did you know I'd say. So it's it's a huge plus it talks. And you know a lot of people -- a lot of money. Understandably so but but I think he's -- now in Japan he's one of the top pitchers describe what kind of how popular in Japan. He is very popular these them. You know something policies Michael Jordan it's peaceful -- Suddenly he's -- pitches that's of the two different -- pitches every fourth fifth day it would -- hero. And Huxley Lewis every day at the plate full -- you know big big team. Put them. Laws that tally -- you know its monthly level as a -- so. Now we saw when the signings of of those particular to New York it now organizing Asian American baseball fans is have missing picture Boston. I think I hope so I think I already see it two. A lot of people certainly people who live here very excited about it -- we've always had this -- You know Red Sox fan club kind of thing for Japanese people but I think this. A lot of interest this year it was actually it was formed on -- but 2001 at most. Most membership would sort of -- that it is. Invest sucks nation to be very critical -- expects him when he appeared case. -- lot of pressure thinking that he built them up. I think that you Lewis he face lot of expertise that you us if he's famous for his high school ornament cos it's -- they have someone. In Japan US he was elected to believe it's it's you know. A high school and after that he became pro. A lot of people -- lake. You know wasn't actually fuel translate that high school approval once it to professional baseball and he won in the end he's done this before he has. You know I think I think once he starts pitching. Boston -- electric I think -- if the schedule goes right into the -- coming Seattle coming to Boston for the openings -- days and he's won this thing to those three games -- Hughes deal true. About America. They have faced each other -- in Japan like 9992 before -- two it is -- but -- to be heeded the media for its -- At ten years -- to continue to -- ago. We would never seen that Japanese pitcher fits in Japanese that what does this mean and now to 2007 on the Internet. I was talking my friend about this I think have a little fun you know -- for him to have something like this that's. To be proud to be positive -- Japanese senses and say you people I think it's a huge. I think it's great I think it's wonderful."

" That was died golf would you want it low and it -- designers -- into across the divide about Daisuke Matsuzaka. This is across the divide. While Boston was gone crazy about Matsuzaka another major league pitcher was making news in Lawrence, Massachusetts. But for different reasons Miguel Batista who just signed with the Seattle Mariners came -- this majority Latino -- to promote. A new novel. Yes some major league ballplayers read. But in the case of this 35 year old Dominican born pitcher he also writes his book is entitled the danger of blood. And it's about a teen serial killer it's the second book is versus a collection of poetry currently on sale and major league ballparks across the country. Before Batista left the city he visited -- high school -- school opened nearly 90% Latino student population and there he was greeted like a hero. It."

" Okay."

" You sharpened threats eyebrows and -- to -- He got up on stage he thought about baseball career and achieved things he also talked about Latin American intellectuals and that."

" Journeyman pitcher Batista is an unusual player. He's known among other players as the poet. And he's been seen reading thick biographies and he has a photo opera Einstein in the locker. Speaking to -- students these to -- a motivational themes of staying in school and not giving up no matter what."

" The no and you'll."

" between sessions Batiste took calls from his agent in state at the time but he was in the midst of -- three year 24 million dollar contract with the Seattle Mariners. Last season Batista pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks. -- baseball captain -- Mendez says it was great to see a major league ballplayer like Batiste come optimism Lawrence high. --"

" While team how important -- sizzling -- who's been employed you know succeed and that can become lewis' -- many -- come and its allies. How to sucks that the -- since you. Kind of business. Which equipment and a chronicles of an output is -- playing games so we didn't. And so that we have -- accidents yes absolutely he."

" After speaking to students Batiste spoke about the long journey of writing his first published novel. -- to your partner."

" You -- Stephen keener. These -- the people who used to recruit him to -- performance that he doesn't have to renewals sears do. So to give me did you. When did you doesn't give enough time. Little things it. And he squeezed in right -- eight -- can I was -- and I wasn't done. And between right -- two -- please write quote. Two -- time he also said he enjoys speaking to Latino students whenever he can. I leave for us Justice Department giving back some of -- to -- us who watched intently that he is. From typically come to school and that in. -- never. The sudden those people that between and he gives it to. To get it done. Hello we expect -- about the stadium now in Major League Baseball. Well that's a beautiful question probe into the cove nature com. I'd be the same -- I was called into the game inspected afternoon 20 years ago. I'm -- two. When this from the local armistice."

" That was Miguel Batista speaking recently at Lawrence high school."

" Just two off today at a Boston globe podcast please visit Boston. If activities with another episode of across that divide for the Boston globe just took pictures thanks -- It"