Kei Igawa pulled on his new pinstripes, stepped to the podium and threw his first US changeup.
His long hair freshly trimmed in accordance with team rules, the Japanese pitcher stood before a packed room at Yankee Stadium on Monday and explained -- in English -- how thrilled he was to reach the big leagues.
"Today, my lifelong dream became a reality: To be a Major League Baseball player," Igawa said, reading carefully from a prepared statement. "I will give you my best as a Yankee. I will do my best to win the championship for this great city, New York."
Set to trade Randy Johnson to Arizona, the Yankees introduced one of his potential replacements during a typically formal news conference attended by about 75 Japanese reporters.
Igawa agreed to a US$20 million, five-year contract with New York last month after the club bid US$26 million for his negotiating rights. The 27-year-old left-hander spent eight strong seasons with the Hanshin Tigers, going 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 194 strikeouts last year.
"We look for him to come in and solidify the back of the rotation," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I think the fact that he took the time today to learn a bit of English -- I think that was just a small indicator of the work ethic that he possesses as he tries to transition over here."
Igawa, who will wear No. 29, admitted he was awed by the moment and very nervous about speaking in English -- he practiced his speech for two days.
But he said he was completely comfortable trimming his trademark long locks to comply with Yankees rules, just as center fielder Johnny Damon did last offseason after leaving the rival Boston Red Sox.
"This is the way I was when the season started in 2006, so it's not that different," Igawa said through a translator.
"To be able to wear this uniform, there's such tradition and such honor that goes with it. I feel the responsibility," he said.
He joins a diverse group of starters that includes 19-game winner Wang Chien-ming of Taiwan, right-hander Mike Mussina and lefty Andy Pettitte.
The Yankees also have frequently injured right-hander Carl Pavano and several intriguing pitching prospects in Philip Hughes, Humberto Sanchez and Jeffrey Karstens.
The Yankees do not compare Igawa to Daisuke Matsuzaka, who agreed to a US$52 million, six-year contract with the Red Sox this offseason after they bid US$51 million for his negotiating rights.
Igawa has said that he is already looking forward to possible pitching duels with Matsuzaka, the MVP of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
According to Nippon Professional Baseball, Igawa beat Matsuzaka 4-0 in their only head-to-head matchup in Japan, where interleague play was not instituted until 2005.
"He's not Matsuzaka," Cashman said. "Matsuzaka is a front end of the rotation guy."
Left fielder Hideki Matsui, a steady success with the Yankees after coming over from Japan in 2003, plans to help Igawa get comfortable in New York.
"I am very excited that Kei Igawa has become a member of the New York Yankees. We played against each other many times in Japan and I know firsthand that he is a highly talented player," Matsui said in a statement.
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