Boston Red Sox' Masataka Yoshida Finally Gets to Meet Bryce Harper
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Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida finally got to meet his hero, Bryce Harper, before game two of the Red Sox series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Danny Vietti of CBS Sports tweeted a photo of the interaction and said:
"Masataka Yoshida finally got to meet his favorite player today, Bryce Harper. Yoshida wore Harper's No. 34 in Japan and named his dog "Harper" after him. Bryce, reportedly, gifted Yoshida two autographed bats and cleats.
Yoshida couldn't wear No. 34 with the Red Sox because it is retired for David Ortiz. Thus, he chose number seven because it is the summation of "3" and "4."
Harper just returned the lineup for the Phillies after recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery. Yesterday was his first game back in front of the home crowd and he got a great reaction that you can see here.
Through his first 11 at-bats, he's hitting .364. For his career, he's a seven-time all-star, a two-time MVP, a Rookie of the Year winner and a home run derby champion.
As for Yoshida, he's off to a great start in his first season state-side. He's hitting .315 with six homers, 24 RBI and 34 total hits. He's been a catalyst for the Red Sox, who have won seven straight games and are now 20-14.
The 29-year-old signed a five-year deal worth $90 million this offseason after posting a very solid resume in Japan. He is a lifetime .327 hitter in Japan and hit 133 career homers with 421 RBI. He also helped Team Japan win the World Baseball Classic this spring.
