FORT MYERS, Fla. - You've heard of My Dinner with Andre?

Let me tell you about My Luncheon With Dice-K.

OK, for accuracy's sake, My Luncheon with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, two interpreters and nine other reporters.

But you get the idea.

In a wide-ranging lunch/interview session that lasted for more than 90 minutes at a local country club, Matsuzaka and Okajima answered questions about their assimilation into American culture, their progress with the language, their off-field interests and of course, baseball.

It was an opportunity for the two Japanese pitchers to better get to know the reporters they will see the most over the course of the season, and vice versa.

Dressed casually, the two ordered their meals in perfect English - iced tea and chicken wraps for both, thank you - but answered questions with the aid of two interpreters: Masa Hoshino, who doubles as Matsuzaka's trainer, and Sachiyo Sekiguchi, part of the Red Sox media relations staff.

Okajima revealed that he spent some free time swimming this spring while Matsuzaka pursued his love of golf. Asked what he usually shoots, Matsuzaka said 80, but there's evidence that he's being modest. By some accounts, Matsuzaka, who will get a country club membership from the Red Sox as one of his many contractual perks, is said to be a scratch golfer.

Okajima said he doesn't find time for golf once the season starts, but a smiling Matsuzaka said he had "no hesitation" in playing year-round.

The two described their relationships with the rest of the Red Sox as "friendly," and noted that many of their new teammates have made an effort to learn some Japanese to ease the communication divide.

Curt Schilling, said Matsuzaka, "advised me on a couple of technical points," while the two heaped praise on Manny Ramirez.

"He's just an ordinary, nice guy," said Okajima.

"If I run into him in the locker room," added Matsuzaka, "he's quick to give a very friendly greeting."

Spring training in America, the two agreed, was far less physically demanding than in Japan, but no less worthwhile. Matsuzaka particularly noted that the shorter team workouts left more time for him to work on things individually.

As might be expected, Matsuzaka was vague about stating personal goals for his rookie season with the Red Sox. When asked what a reasonable victory total might be for 2007, Matsuzaka dodged like a veteran: "There are certain goals and objectives that I want to accomplish," he said. "But I'm not comfortable talking about those objectives."

Can't say we didn't try.

Barriers - cultural and language - were a popular topic. Matsuzaka said he was sharpening his command of English through TV and movies. He cited MTV, ESPN and The Golf Channel as his three favorites. He said that by watching Hollywood movies he had previously seen with Japanese subtitles, he's able to pick up phrases.

Matsuzaka listed Cliffhanger and Lethal Weapon as two personal favorites, while Okajima's tastes seemed to lean more toward rom-comsnote: this means romance-comedies - Pretty Woman and Ghost.

Showing a keen sense of baseball history, Dice-K said Cy Young and Nolan Ryan are the two players - past or present - he would most like to meet.

Asked about what he knew of the Red Sox' great comeback against the Yankees in 2004 and the end of their championship drought, Matsuzaka began an animated display, flailing his elbow and arms and, at one point, accidentally banged his right elbow on the table.

Hoshino then revealed that Matsuzaka was recounting Pedro Martinez's takedown of Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS. No one spoiled the moment by reminding him that that had taken place the previous October.

Both pitchers said they were looking forward to facing the vaunted Yankees lineup, but Matsuzaka shook his head vigorously and convincingly when asked if it were true that he had been a Yankees fan growing up.

Revealing a contrast in their personalities, Matsuzaka said he would be more nervous in the first two games of the opening series in Kansas City than the third, when he's scheduled to pitch. Being on the mound serves to "relax" him. Okajima, meanwhile, said his first appearance - date to be determined, of course, for the reliever - will "be a big step." After that, Okajima added, "I'll be a little more at ease."

Just over 90 minutes into the gathering, Matsuzaka nervously glanced at his watch. The two were full - of food, and likely us, too.