Park Chan-ho Revives His 151km Fastball

“Korean super day”

All six Korean Major Leaguers came up on March 7. Park Chan-ho (31 years old, Texas) and Kim Byoung-hyun (25 years old, Boston) performed great in their first starts in exhibition games, and Choi Hee-seop (25 years old, Florida) got his first hit after his trade.

-Park Chan-ho

He appeared in his first real game in nine months since a game against Montreal on June 8, last year. He played against Kansas City at Surprise Stadium, Arizona. Even thought it was his first game back, his 151 kmph (94 mph) fastball was taken on the board, taking on a former colleague, Juan Gonzalez in the third inning.

Park gave up a double to Ken Harvey after two consecutive walks, allowing one run, but dominated hitters with eight pitches each in the second and third innings. Park allowed three hits, two walks and one run until the third inning. He became the losing pitcher with a 7-10 loss. However, the game must be a signal of his recovery.

But he was verbally abused again because he disappeared without an interview after game. He commented, “I felt overwhelmed to enjoy a thrilling match like that at long last.” Coach Buck Showalter was satisfied, saying, “He was nervous in the first inning, but he pitched effectively afterwards.”

-Kim Byoung-hyun

He pitched flawlessly facing Minnesota’s ace, Brad Radke at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. He gave up four straight balls to lead-off hitter Lew Ford in first inning, but settled down retired the next six batters, including one strikeout. On the other hand, Radke, a 20-win pitcher in 1997, suffered two hits and one run including a homer for two innings.

No doubt, Kim has been confirmed to be fifth starting pitcher. Fox Sports reported, “Kim would be a second starting pitcher if he were on other teams.” Kim said, “I’m not in good condition with an ache on my shoulder and back, but it would be no problem since I have confidence that I will not lose to anyone.” Boston, however, lost by a score of two to six..

- Choi Hee-seop and others

He played as his team’s sixth hitter and first baseman, getting a hit in three at bats in his game against St. Louis. His rival for first base, Will Cordero appeared as fifth hitter and right fielder but made no hits three at bats.

Meanwhile, Bong Joong-gun (24 years old, Atlanta) gave up three hits and three runs for two-and-a-third innings as the second pitcher in a match against Houston. Baek Cha-seung (23 years old, Seattle) pitched quite well, with two hits, two strikeouts and one run in the game against San Diego. Choo Shin-soo (22 years old, Seattle) made one hit in two at bats as the substitute left fielder in the same game.

In the meantime, Seo Jae-eung (27 years old, New York Mets) was supposed to start in a game against Los Angeles, but the schedule was postponed because he was hit by a batted ball on his thigh on the previous day.