Softbank Hawks Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo visited Fukuoka Children's Hospital on the 17th. This was the team's 10th visit and Kokubo's third consecutive year since taking over as manager.
ユニホーム姿で病棟を回り、入院しているこどもたちと笑顔で交流した。保護者も参加した質問コーナーでは「（日本ハムの）新庄監督は意識していますか？」と問われ「今回１月の頭に『打倒ホークス』じゃなかったですから。『打倒小久保裕紀』と。チーム名じゃなかったわけですから（笑）。今年は我々がチャンピオンとして追われる立場ですけど、冷静に考えて（日本ハムは）レベルが高い、強いチーム。そこと戦うという点では意識せざるを得ない」と返答。他の質問にもざっくばらんに答え、メッセージ入り色紙のプレゼントも受け取るなど約２時間触れあった。
In 2013, they achieved the Japan Series title they promised during their previous visit. When they handed over a signed autograph to Director Koichi Kusuhara, they smiled and said, "I've achieved my goal and fulfilled a promise." However, as they said immediately afterward, "I'm focused on this season," they will turn the cheers from the children into power to win the league for the third consecutive year and the Japan Series title for the second consecutive year.
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