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Henry's first look

JUPITER, Fla. -- Red Sox owner John Henry, formerly owner of the Florida Marlins, is one of the fans on hand to witness Daisuke Matsuzaka's first appearance against a major league team in a spring training game.

Henry met with the media behind the batting cage just after noon as the Sox prepared to play the Marlins. The owner had little to say about anything. He did not see Dice-K's performance against Boston College last Friday night as he was attending the wedding of Tom Werner's daughter in Utah.

Henry shot down the rumor that the Red Sox will leave Fort Myers for Vero Beach after the Dodgers abandon Vero next spring.

"I haven't heard that rumor,'' said the owner. ”Plus, we have a long-term lease with Fort Myers. But I hate to see the Dodgers leave. So much history."

The Red Sox team bus got lost en route to Jupiter and did not arrive until 11:23 for the 1:05 game.

"We were in lion country,'' said an agitated Terry Francona. ”Some ... bus driver didn't know where he was going.''

Fortunately for the Sox, Matsuzaka and his translator went to southeast Florida the night before the game and arrived at the park more than a half hour ahead of the rest of the team. Hall of Famers Jim Palmer and Dennis Eckersley were among those who came out to see Dice-K pitch.

Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell stayed back in Fort Myers to watch Craig Hansen and Abe Alverez, but made it to Jupiter in time for the start of today's game. Dice-K has Sox regulars Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia playing in the infield. Wily Mo Pena is in right and Jason Varitek is catching the Japanese ace.