It's doubtful Hisashi Iwakuma's debut in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners will make a big splash in many locales outside Seattle, unless of course it comes against the Oakland A's at Tokyo Dome in March. Though in that case, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will be the player in the spotlight.
Even if Iwakuma makes an appearance during the MLB's Japan Opening Series — scheduled for March 28-29 — he'll quickly be relegated to afterthought status as the hoopla surrounding the Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish reaches fever pitch in anticipation of his first start in early April.
That much is evident by the way the two were introduced.