Anticipated arrival: Japanese pitcher Matsuzaka arrives in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. -- Dice-K arrived at spring training.

And so did crowds of reporters, photographers and television crews who flocked to Florida to chronicle the $103 million Japanese ace's landing. That didn't count the handful of puzzled passers-by who wondered what all the fuss was about Monday at Tampa International Airport.

It's all about Daisuke Matsuzaka.

He arrived at the airport early Monday night, then got in a car for the ride to Fort Myers, about 130 miles to the south, to settle in before his first workout at the Boston Red Sox training camp.

"I have a few days left before camp officially starts," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter during a five-minute interview session in the baggage claim area. "My excitement has not reached its peak, but I would love to meet my teammates."

Moments earlier, his non-stop flight from Los Angeles touched down on schedule two months after bumpy negotiations led to a $52 million, six-year contract. That's on top of the $51.11 million the Red Sox paid the Seibu Lions for winning the right to negotiate with him.

All that money bought a 26-year-old right-hander who was revered in Japan since he pitched a no-hitter in high school and has a catchy nickname that already has shown up on T-shirts around Boston.

"I would like to meet everybody's expectations by playing well," the $103 million pitcher said.

His arrival at spring training had been eagerly anticipated since he reached a contract agreement on Dec. 14.

The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Sunday. Matsuzaka plans to hold his first formal news conference in Fort Myers late Thursday afternoon.