Hideki Matsui, who played for the Yankees in the major leagues, participated in a charity golf event in the United States and cheered on Angels' Shohei Ohtani, who finished this season on the injured list, saying, "I want to see him in good health again."
Since retiring, Mr. Matsui has been serving as the representative of an NPO that aims to foster the sound development of children through baseball, and on the 18th, he participated in a charity golf event co-sponsored by this NPO in eastern Connecticut and was interviewed.
Matsui cheered on Ohtani, who finished the season on the injured list, saying, "I want to see him healthy again because he can't help but get injured, and if he wants, I want to see him play double-wielding again, and I want to support him in the path he wants."
Ohtani is expected to win the title of American League home run king with 44 home runs this year, and is four short of Matsui's record of 175 home runs by a Japan player in the big leagues.
Mr. Matsui said with a smile, "I don't want you to call my poor record a record, and Ohtani will surpass it in no time next season," and expressed his expectations for the further success of Ohtani, who is also a junior with the Angels.