PHOENIX -- With a seemingly long offseason in the game's rearview mirror, it's almost time to crank back up everything beloved about big league ball: everything between the white lines.

The Boston Red Sox, fresh off a second World Series sweep in four years and looking built to dynastic specifications, and the Oakland A's, fresh off an offseason that completely changed the direction of the perennial Little Engine That Could of an organization, jumped onto charter flights from their respective Spring Training homes in Florida and Arizona on Wednesday.

Their destination: Tokyo, for Japan Opening Series 2008, to kick off Major League Baseball's regular season with a two-game series March 25-26. It follows the league's recent foray into China, where the Padres and Dodgers recently wrapped up an exhibition excursion.

"Baseball has, over the years, has become an increasingly global game," A's general manager Billy Beane said when details of the trip were formalized in the offseason. "We're thrilled to be a part of this, we're thrilled to be playing the defending champions, and I'm sure the fans in Japan are going to be thrilled.

"But especially in the United States, I think fans -- even if they can't see it live because of the time difference -- are going to be thrilled just to have the focus back on baseball."

This marks the third time MLB has opened its regular season in Japan, the first time coming in 2000, with the Cubs and Mets at the center of the baseball universe. In 2004 it was the Yankees and Rays.

With the Red Sox the obvious headliners this time around, the focus of Japanese fans, who also will be treated to a paid of exhibition doubleheaders pitting the A's and Sox against Japanese League teams March 22-23, likely will be on native son Daisuke Matsuzaka, who will start the official lid-lifter on March 25 opposite Oakland's Joe Blanton.

Also drawing his fair share of attention figures to be another former Japanese League standout, Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima. And while virtually everyone involved with both teams seems to be mindful that winning the two games that count in the regular-season standings is the top priority, they understand the excitement with which they'll be greeted and say the feeling will be mutual.

Japan Opening Series 2008

"It's just a different venue, and what we have to do as players doesn't change," Matsuzaka said. "But for the Japanese fans who don't get to see us live every day, it will be a treat to be able to show them us in our uniforms."

Even players who aren't going on the trip were excited about it. A's starter Chad Gaudin, who will stay behind to continue working his way into shape after offseason hip and foot surgeries, was with Tampa Bay for the Japan Series in 2004.

"I'm a little bit jealous," Gaudin admitted. "They do it up over there, big-time. But at least I got to experience it. I know what the guys are in for, and I'm happy for them. It's a great experience."

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz has been to the Far East before, too. Big Papi was in Japan as part of an MLB All-Star tour after the 2004 season, and at least one memory is fresh.

"It's a whole different culture," he said. "It's the opposite of everything we do here. Totally opposite. Everything is different. I remember when I jumped in the first cab, I was going to a restaurant and I see the dude driving on the other side of the road. I'm like, whoa, whoa, what's going on here? And then we hit a curve, and when you go on the curve [to the left] you see the other cars coming from the opposite side; you're curving inside and the guy is on the outside. I'm like, 'No way, this is not happening.' I had to [sit] sideways."

An entertaining tale, to be sure, but what the fans at the already-sold-out Tokyo Dome surely want to see is Ortiz hitting a different kind of curve -- like, say, Blanton's. The A's, technically the home team in the two-game series, know they're essentially going to be playing in the heart of the Far East chapter of Red Sox Nation.

"I'm sure the fans over there will be a lot more into the Red Sox than they're into us," said Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby. "Regardless, just playing over there, in front of those crowds, is going to be fun."

Said Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, "How many times am I going to Japan on my own? Probably none. This is an opportunity to go and see things that we normally may not see. I'm just going to roll with the punches and try to go have fun."

Fun, but with focus, hopes the respective skippers.

"It's going to be a blast for everyone, I'm sure. Something we'll never forget," A's manager Bob Geren said. "But you do have to remember: Come March 25, this goes on your record."

Added Boston manager Terry Francona, "The appearances and things like that, that's secondary for what we're trying to do there. We're trying to remind people that. Sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle -- that we need to try to go win a couple of games over there.

"Not necessarily the first two [exhibition games], but the last two."