Former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres pitcher Chan Ho Park threw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the two teams’ season opening game in South Korea. Park began his Major League Baseball career in 1994 with Los Angeles as the first South Korean-born player in the big leagues.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park speaks during a press conference at the Gocheok Sky Dome ahead of a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres for the MLB World Tour Seoul Series in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani takes the field to warm up prior to an opening day baseball game at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
“When I look at all these Asian players today, I feel that the tree planted by Hideo Nomo has grown strong and the tree planted by Chan Ho Park has grown strong, and that the fruits of those trees are now leading the majors and inspiring new hope,” Park said. Park holds the MLB record for most wins by an east Asian pitcher, going 124-98 with a 4.36 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2001, when he went 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA for the Dodgers. His 17-year MLB career also included stops with the Texas Rangers, Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Padres’ Japanese ace Yu Darvish is a candidate to break Park’s Asian win record. The 37-year-old Darvish had 103 career wins ahead of his opening day start against the Dodgers. “My record of 124 wins needs to get broken some time,” Park said. “And I really hope Darvish is the one who does it.”
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