Article: Learning curve for Okajima

BRADENTON, Fla. - Hideki Okajima will be going home in a matter of days. But will his Japanese brethren recognize him?

For many of his Red Sox teammates, the upcoming trip to Tokyo is an onerous obligation that includes a dreaded 17-hour plane flight, but for Boston's lefthanded setup man, it will represent a crowning achievement. It will be, he explained yesterday, an immense honor to represent the world champion Boston Red Sox in his native land.

And yet, he said, he will return to Japan a different pitcher than the one who starred with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Okajima said he has been transformed by his year in major league baseball, and is in the ...

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