I'm anxious to face them (major league pitchers) all, but in reality I'm looking forward most to (Boston's) Pedro Martinez. He was with the major league team that came to Japan in 1996, just before he became a superstar. I'm anxious to see how much he's improved. And I'm anxious to see how much I've improved against him.

I want to be the first player to show what Japanese batters can do in the major league.

When people get placed upon a pedestal - when they start chasing after that person on the pedestal - they become mannequin-like.

When you mail Ichiro something from the States, you only have to use that name on the address and he gets it (in Japan). He's that big.

Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out.

The more that Japanese players go to the big leagues to play and succeed, the more that will serve to inspire young kids in Japan to want to become baseball players when they grow up.

As professionals we have a responsibility of providing a good show for the fans. Getting hits and home runs is what they want to see.