Was Chan-Ho Ill from the Heat?

After the game, Park Chan-Ho (28. LA Dodgers) refused to open his mouth. It was first time since 1999 to reject an interview request.

It means that the game against the New York Metz yesterday was a disappointing one. Before entering the game, Park Chan-Ho was the best pitcher in the Major League at the home stand with a record of 8-2 with a 1.59 earned-run average (ERA). During day games, he was 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA.

Although there was a very high chance of adding a win because it was a day game at home, Park Chan-Ho took the loss again. While pitching 5 innings, he gave up 4 runs (3 earned) allowing 7 hits including a homerun. Failing to add a win from 4 starts since August, he suffered 3rd consecutive setback for the first time in this year.

After the game, it seemed that the staff and players of the Dodgers, who have been fighting hard for the postseason, were apparently disappointed after seeing Chan Ho`s performance. Manager Jim Tracy showed his frustration by saying, ``I didn`t like his attitude (entering the game). There was no fighting spirit.`` Catcher Chad Kreuter also said, ``It seems like, he has fallen into a slump.``

If a good pitcher shows a sign of a slump, there are usually lots of rumors. Recently, there has been various controversies against Park Chan-Ho.

Earlier this week, there was a controversy on the `battery`. On 15th, at a talk show on the XTRA 1150 AM, an exclusive broadcasting station for the Dodgers, people waged a wordy warfare on the battery of the pitch Park Chan-Ho and the catcher Chad Kreuter. The main point was that since Park Chan-Ho insists on his exclusive catcher Chad Kreuter rather than the team`s best hitter Paul Lo Duca, it lead to the reduced hitting power.

Concerning of the public criticism, even though manager Tracy took a desperate measure yesterday by sending Lo Duca as the starting first baseman instead of the regular-man Karros, it did not work out well.

Another controversial issue is about his waist condition. Recently, Park Chan-Ho has become a curveball pitcher rather than a `power pitcher` armed with the fastballs. The average speed of his fastball has decreased to 140kms. Nowadays, he is barely enduring with his large angle curveballs. On 20th, he even threw fastballs in the speed range of 130kms.

People consistently bring up questions that the reason of the reduced speed is because of his unhealthy waist. Park Chan-Ho, who has a pitching motion that gives a lot of burden on his waist, has been suffering from the waist pain since the beginning of this season. After the end of the first half, he had confessed by saying, ``Sometimes, I couldn`t even sleep at night.``

At the end of this season, he becomes a free-agent that can sign with any team in the league. Nobody knows whether he is taking precautions to avoid an injury on his currently ailing waist or if he is pitching enduring the pain by keeping a stiff upper lip.

However, at this stage when people are grumbling about his pitching performance, it is obvious that the recent slump affects negatively for Chan-Ho, who is seeking to be the first pitcher earning 20 million dollars annually.

Kim Sang-Soo ssoo@donga.com