Park Settled to be the Second Pitcher

" Korean powerhouse " Park Chan-ho (31· Texas Rangers) has been confirmed as the second starter for the Texas Rangers.

Manager Buck Showalter, in an interview with the domestically exclusive broadcasting station, MBC, commented, "Park will be starting in the season’s second game. I`ve made up my mind after watching him pitch against the Kansas City Royals on March 23." Showalter strongly denied the possibility of any re-arrangement. According to this, Park Chan-ho will start against the Oakland Athletics on April 7 at 11:05 a.m.

The Texas Rangers quickly appointed lefty Kenny Rogers to start the season’s opening game on April 6, but played the exhibition schedule with the second starting position unclaimed. However, Showalter expressed satisfaction as he watched Park Chan-ho pitch on March 23.

On that day, Park allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings pitched, but showed off his 155km pitches with the similar velocity that he threw in his prime.

In the view of this, Park Chan-ho gave up the team’s ace pitcher position he held for two consecutive years since starting the 2002 season opener, the first year which he moved to Texas, but the outlook seems that it will help Park come back because the second starting position has less pressure.

Park Chan-ho is scheduled to pitch in the exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox on March 28 and against the San Francisco Giants on April 2.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com