Oakland A's DH Hideki Matsui worries about his homeland of Japan after devastating earthquake

PHOENIX -- Despite the devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake thathit Japan on Friday afternoon (Japan time), the A's new Japanesedesignated hitter, Hideki Matsui, was in the lineup for Oakland'sspring training game here against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But Matsui was well aware of the catastrophe, first learning ofthe earthquake on the Internet on Thursday night and staying upuntil midnight to try to get more details of the extensive damage.

Speaking through interpreter Roger Kahlon, the 36-year-old DHexpressed concern and sympathy for the people of his native country.

"I heard about it last night, actually, but I didn't have muchinformation about it at first," Matsui said.

"As time went on, I started to understand the caliber of thesituation. It is disturbing. I'm a bit worried, especially for thepeople who live in the area."

Matsui said he has yet to communicate with any family members orfriends in Japan. Even though he resides in Tokyo, most of hisfamily is in Ishikawa, which is located in the southwest part ofJapan, a significant distance from the earthquake's offshoreepicenter in the northeast part of the country.

"I haven't spoken to anybody," he said. "But they (his family)are not really close to the area, so I think they're OK."

He did admit that even though he believes the people he's closestto are safe, he is still concerned for their mental well-being,especially after seeing some of the footage of the devastation ontelevision.

"It is a bit difficult to watch," he said. "Even though you'reaway, it's hard to see all that's going on and knowing that you havemuch family and people you know (in Japan)."

Matsui has long been concerned about earthquakes in Asia. Hedonated $500,000 toward relief efforts for victims of the 2004Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

The 30 or so Japanese media members covering Matsui's firstspring with the A's were on hand Friday as well. Many saidcommunication to Japan is virtually impossible since telephone linesare either overtaxed or out of service as a result of the quake.

The A's announced that the team will help raise funds to aidvictims of the disaster. The A's open the season with a three-gameseries at the Coliseum against the Seattle Mariners, and plans arebeing made to add a fundraising component for Japanese Heritage Day,scheduled for the series' final game Sunday, April 3.

Details of the benefit game, which will feature Japan's twogreatest modern-day players in Matsui and Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki,will be announced at a later date.

Matsui also issued an official statement through theorganization: "I am deeply concerned and affected by what ishappening in Japan. I pray for the safety of all the people thathave been affected and continue to be affected by this disaster."