Park Chan-ho Has No Plans to Go to Japan

“I won’t be joining the Japanese Baseball League.”

34-year-old baseball star Park Chan-ho, who recently was given release by the New York Mets, swept aside any possibilities of playing in Japan. On his personal website yesterday, Team61 (psgkorea.com), Park wrote about his future plans in a Q&A form.

He said, “Although things didn’t turn out the way I planned (which was to spend the season as a Mets player), I am gearing up for other opportunities to come.”

Regarding speculation about his joining the Japanese Baseball League, Park pushed them aside, reaffirming his determination to succeed and conclude his career in the major leagues.

Park also shared his story on his farewell with the Mets. At the beginning of the season, Park was given his release and at the same time, received an offer to stay in the minor leagues. However, the ambitious pitcher decided to seek other opportunities and the Mets accommodated his request.

He hinted that he might be joining other teams as a free agent in the near future if he is not traded.

Currently training at his home in Los Angeles, he expressed his wish to round out the season in good faith with whichever team he joins later on.

“Playing in the minor leagues, I learned a lot. It was also a chance for me to understand other Korean baseball players playing in the minor leagues. I will repay my fans with a good performance. After all, it is up to me to decide and make my future.”

Park, who started playing in the majors in 1994, earned 113 wins and 88 losses in total with an ERA of 4.40. This year, he played one game in the big leagues and lost with an ERA of 15.75.

beetlez@donga.com