Bong and Seo in ML

Major league baseball will see the largest number of South Korean players put in the lineup this season, which starts today. Chan Ho Park first made inroads in the season opening roster ten years ago with the L.A. Dodgers.

In total, eight players will show up in the season openers: Chan Ho Park (Texas Rangers), Byung Hyun Kim (Arizona Diamondbacks), Hee S. Choi (Chicago Cubs), Jung Bong (Atlanta Braves), Jae W. Seo (NY Mets), to name just a few.

Last year, only Park and Kim succeeded in securing spots on the roster for season openers. Deeper into the season, a total of six South Korean players showed up in the lineup. But this is the first season when so many South Koreans have got to play in the season opening games.

Among others, Bong attracts media attention the most. In 1997 when he was in his second year at high school, he went over to the United States. After five years, he made his American dream come true.

Braves aces, Mike Hampton and Paul Byrd, were officially put on the disabled list. Thus, Bong might possibly make his way into the status of starting pitcher.

Choi, the first South Korean ML hitter, draws the highlight, too. Brushing off his rival Eric Karros, he secured his spot in the roster as the first baseman hitting at 5th. At first, Cubs manager Dusty Baker planned to send in Choi against right-handed pitchers, and, alternatively, Karros against south paws. Nonetheless, he has decided to put Choi in the season opener against a Mets` left-handed pitcher.

Park will pitch in the season second game on April 1 for the Rangers against the Anaheim Angels, and Kim will take on the Colorado Rockies on April 5th. Seo is not sure, for now, when he will take the mound. But it is likely that he will pitch this season as a bullpen pitcher.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com