This Is Park Chan-Ho`s X-File

Park Chan-Ho`s X-File that has evoked much concern was finally released.

The Boras Corporation, representing Park Chan-Ho (28, LA Dodgers), began to distribute the X-File of Park Chan-Ho containing the data about his strong points to all major league teams. The official name of the file constituted of 8 chapters is `Free Agent Park Chan-Ho`s Presentation, Right-Handed Starting Pitcher`.

With the disclose of the X-File, Scott Boras stressed that "many teams have currently been interested in Park Chan-Ho. Park should receive higher salary than Mike Hampton of the Colorado Rockies."

Hampton had signed an eight-year contract of 121 million dollars (annual salary 151.25 million dollars) with the Rockies this year.

The summary of the file follows.

▼ Most Consistent Pitcher

Park made 69 game starts for the past two years, ranked in the second place in this category following Atlanta Braves`s Tom Glavine (70 games), and he started the most games (35 games) this season. And he ranked in the seventh according to the statistics of the recent 5 years, starting 165 games.

▼ Most Unhittable Pitcher

The opponent`s batting average was 0.215 for the past two years, ranked in the second place following Arizona Diamondbacks`s Randy Johnson (0.214). And the recent 5-year statistics (0.232) also shows that he is one of the top-rankers (5th place) in this category, following Pedro Martinez (Boston Red Sox), Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown (LA Dodgers), and Roger Clemens.

▼ Best Quality Pitcher

Park recorded 49 quality starts (allowing three or less points for at least 6 inning start) to rank the second place following Randy Johnson (52 quality starts) for the past two years. And he recorded 108 quality starts to rank the 6th place for the past five years.

▼ Best ERA

Park`s ERA for 2000 and 2001 seasons was 3.31 to rank the 4th place in the major league. Randy Johnson was placed in the first in this category. The 5-year statistics (3.76) placed Park in the 11th. The No. 1 pitcher was Pedro Martinez who recorded 2.19 ERA for 5 years.

▼ Best Power Pitcher

Park recorded 435 strikeouts for 2 years to rank the 4th place, following Johnson (719 strikeouts), Curt Schilling (461 strikeouts, Arizona Diamondbacks), and Martinez (447 strikeouts). According to the 5-year statistics, he was placed in the 7th with 966 strikeouts.

▼ Poor Run Support

For the past two years, Park has received a run support of 4.75 per game to rank 33rd place. Despite the fact that he has received very poor run support, Park ranked 7th in wins category with 33 wins. Among the pitchers who recorded over 15 wins this season, Greg Maddux (Atlanta Braves) was the only player who has received the lower run support than Park Chan-Ho.

Kim Sang-Soo ssoo@donga.com