Big Choi’s Big Home Run

"Hee-Seop Choi, Hee-Seop Choi."

In the late 2nd inning with one out and a runner at 2nd base, as soon as the 110kg Asian giant stood on the plate, the 55,315 fans in the stadium, the most number of fans in the history of Miami Pro Player stadium, simultaneously started to shout for "Big Choi," Choi Hee Seop (25).

His opponent was ex-Florida Marlins MVP in 1997 and Montreal ace Livan Hernandez, who had a record of 15 wins and 10 losses last year. Tension was in Choi`s face as he came up for his first at bat since his trade.

The first pitch was an outside high fastball. The hands of the umpire went up. Strike one. Next, a changeup, which stuck close to the body. The 3rd pitch fastball penetrated right next to the batter as the count went to two strikes and one ball. The 4th pitch was a foul ball on a changeup at the knees. The fifth was an outside slider.

As Choi patiently picked out Hernandez’s pitches, the pitcher drew out his specialty. But the 140km inside fastball wasn’t inside enough, and Choi saw a chance to send it over the right field fence like a bullet; he connected for a lead off two-run homer. The distance of the big home run was 128m.

Choi was hobbled a little by a foul ball off of his left leg, but answered to a big round of applause with the home run ceremony as he placed his fist on his lips then raised his pointer finger to the air after stepping on the home plate.

Choi Hee-Seop soared as the new hero of the Marlins after he burst a season-opening homer on the 7th. Choi fell back after a Homer-like foul and a strikeout in the 4th inning, and a popout to center field in the 7th. But in the 8th inning with one out and a runner on 3rd base, he hit a ground ball to the 2nd baseman that was hard to catch and became the hero of the show with the game-deciding hit. With two outs and a runner on 2nd base, Florida drove in a run to capture the 4-3 win.

Meanwhile, New York Met Kaz Matsui, who carried out his debut match against the Atlanta Braves, launched a lead off homer and two doubles, as he showed off his big time skills with three hits, two walks and three RBIs in three at bats.

Hwan Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com