On Baseball: Matsuzaka press conference has raised WMUR reporter's profile

While Red Sox fans wondered what Daisuke Matsuzaka actually said during his first press conference in Boston, one member of the local media understood every word.

Nothing was lost in translation for Naoko Funayama.

The WMUR-TV reporter, born in Tokyo, speaks fluent Japanese and asked Matsuzaka a question in their native language.

Oh, and she translated the question, too, bailing out the tongue-tied interpreter who left Red Sox fans and media frustrated that day.

The Funayama sound bite has aired repeatedly on WEEI radio, and she's been discussed on the popular "Sons of Sam Horn" all-things-Red Sox Web site.

Say hello to Boston sports media's hottest TV prospect.

Want the scoop on Matsuzaka and new Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima? Keep watching for Naoko (pronounced "Nalko") as early as spring training.

The sudden spotlight has caught Funayama by surprise. After all, she was merely doing her job, by no means seeking attention when grabbing the microphone at Fenway Park.

"This thing has taken on a life of its own," she said.

In the end, it would have benefitted everyone had she grabbed a seat next to Matsuzaka. The Red Sox may have spent $103 million landing Dice-K, but some felt shortchanged during his official introduction.

For the record, Funayama's question pertained to the onslaught of media covering Matsuzaka. In Japan, such an entourage is reserved for the prime minister and accomplished athletes such as Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners or Hideki Matsui of the Yankees.

She asked Matsuzaka, "When you look around the room and see all these media people from Japan, what do you think about having your own entourage?"

There was a slight pause and the pitcher was briefly interrupted before answering.

"He kind of looked around the room and had this smile on his face, but then he said I understand why there's a focus on me, but whether or not I will develop a fan base from here on, is really up to me,'" Funayama said. "What he really meant is that his performance will control how popular he becomes."

Funayama said Matsuzaka had the outward confidence and aura one might expect from one of the world's best pitchers.

"He's genuinely so excited. You could just tell he loves playing the game," she said. "I definitely think there's a confidence there. Japanese people have a tendency to be humble, because that's what you're taught. A lot of his answers were framed in humility, but he had no problem expressing how excited he was."

Red Sox games will be aired in Japan by Major League Baseball's international rights holder, NHK television. Locally, the Red Sox are looking to expand coverage and appeal to their new Japanese-American fans.

Boston team officials could not be reached for comment yesterday, but you can't help but wonder if a bright, bilingual reporter at WMUR would fit nicely into the plans at NESN. As a bonus, Funayama's first love is hockey, which could also enhance coverage of the Bruins and college teams.

The pipeline from Manchester to Boston media stardom includes Eric Frede, Bob Lobel, Mishelle Michaels, to name a few. Could Funayama be far behind?

WMUR Sports Director Jamie Staton, part of the hiring committee that landed Funayama in 2004, won't be surprised when she gets the call.

"If Matsuzaka is phenomenal for the next six years, at some point, a media monster is going to want her because she's so valuable. Outside of that, somebody is going to want to steal her, anyway," Staton said. "She's brilliant and has a passion for television reporting. She's a gem."

Funayama, currently ranked No. 3 on the depth chart behind Staton and weekend anchor Jason King, would never speculate on leaving the station.

"I love my sports team. My objective is to contribute and do what's best for our team," said Funayama, sounding genuine, yet unavoidably cliche.

She moved to New York at age 7 and grew up watching the Rangers after her mother came to the U.S. to attend Columbia. Naoko went to high school in Manhattan at United Nations International and earned degrees from Williams College and Boston University.

"You grow up hoping to be some kind of cultural bridge because of the international background. For that reason, I thought it was cool to be part of what was going on in Boston that day," she said. "But coverage-wise, we're here to cover all sports and not just the Red Sox."

These days, speaking Japanese and maintaining a sharp ear is only a phone call away. Her family lives in Tokyo.

Of course, she can always chat with a valuable member of the Red Sox next season, assuming she navigates through a throng of media covering Matsuzaka. It won't be easy, but Channel 9 will have an edge.

"When you cover Major League Baseball now, there can be a language barrier that prevents you from communicating with some athletes," Staton said.

"When they signed (Matsuzaka), I knew immediately we had something great -- a reporter that could communicate with this pitcher in the same way we communicate with Curt Schilling or another player. Having that gives us something no other TV station has that I know of."

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His e-mail address is kgray@unionleader.com