Derek Jeter Arrives In Japan For Charity Ballgame With Matsui
TOKYO (CBSNewYork/AP) — Derek Jeter is teaming up with former New York Yankees teammate Hideki Matsui for a charity baseball game to support the survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan — and hinted Wednesday he may someday get back into baseball as a team owner.
Participating in the game at Tokyo Dome on Sunday will be a group of student baseball players from the Tohoku region that was devastated by the March 11, 2011, disaster that killed over 15,000 people. Profits will go toward helping children in the region.
Jeter and Matsui will also put on a baseball clinic and take part in a home run derby.
Jeter, who retired from Major League Baseball last year after 20 years, said he's looking forward to a break from the game.
"I need to get away from (baseball) for a little while," Jeter said at a press conference. "I've been doing it professionally for 23 years, at this moment now I'm not thinking about getting back in the game. My ultimate dream is to one day own a team but that's in the future."
Recalling his own experiences after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Jeter said he was hoping to help children in Japan who are still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. While the earthquake and tsunami struck four years ago, many of the participants from the area are still coping with the loss of family and friends and living in temporary housing.
"The kids will never forget what happened," Jeter said. "But if they can come out and have fun and enjoy themselves through the sport of baseball, that's what we're trying to do here."
Matsui, the 2009 World Series Most Valuable Player, said Jeter's presence will go a long way.
"Having Jeter here is a wonderful thing," Matsui said. "He had an illustrious career in Major League Baseball. I'm happy and the kids taking part in this event will be thrilled. We hope they have a great time and return to Tohoku with some great memories."
Matsui said Jeter would make "an enormous contribution" when he announced the event late last year.
"When you think about the small children who will be participating, anyone who likes baseball certainly knows the name Derek Jeter," Matsui said Dec. 17, according to The Japan Times. "The fact that they'll be able to actually see him and touch him, just being able to feel his aura, is going to impact them in a very positive way."
Matsui was recently rehired by the Yankees as a special adviser to general manager Brian Cashman, and Jeter said his former teammate will have much to offer.
"Not only was he successful here in Japan, one of the biggest stars in the country, he came over the United States and did the exact same thing," Jeter said. "There aren't too many players that can say that ... so he has a lot of knowledge, and will be able to share that with as many people as he wants to do."
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