Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — As the Dodgers gear up to open their season against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, this week many Dodger fans can recall a time not so long ago when Chan Ho Park toed the rubber at Chavez Ravine. It’s worth looking back at Park’s trailblazing career.
Chan Ho Park, a name synonymous with excellence and resilience in the realm of baseball, carved out a remarkable career that transcended borders and inspired millions. Born on June 30, 1973, in Gongju, South Korea, Park’s journey to becoming one of the most celebrated Korean pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history is a testament to his unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit.
Park’s ascent to prominence began in his homeland, where he exhibited exceptional talent and prowess on the baseball diamond from a young age. His remarkable pitching skills soon caught the attention of scouts, leading to his signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1994. Little did he know that this pivotal moment would mark the beginning of a legendary career and a groundbreaking chapter in the history of Korean baseball.
“(Dodger owner) Peter O’Malley was always looking for a great player from Korea,” recalled team historian Mark Langill. “Chan Ho was just a perfect fit not only did he have the temperament but he was also an ambassador not just a great player.”
In 1994, Park made his MLB debut at the age of 21 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first South Korean-born player to grace the league. His arrival sparked immense excitement and pride among Korean baseball enthusiasts, who eagerly followed his journey as he sought to make his mark on the international stage. Manager Tommy Lasorda thought that Park would benefit from getting more work in at the minor league level, so it wasn’t until 1996 that Park joined the big league club for good. “It became obvious early with a young guy like that if you’re not going to be in the starting rotation it’s better to work on his craft in the minor leagues,” recounted Lasorda in an interview a few years ago.
Throughout his tenure with the Dodgers, Park showcased his exceptional pitching abilities, earning accolades and admiration for his impressive performances on the mound. Known for his powerful fastball, devastating slider, and unwavering determination, he quickly established himself as a formidable force in the league.
One of the defining moments of Park’s career came in 1996 when he achieved the milestone of becoming the first Korean pitcher to start an MLB postseason game. His stellar postseason performance further solidified his status as a trailblazer for Korean baseball players and elevated his profile on the global stage. Though sometimes overshadowed by “Nomo-mania,” that surrounded Japanese sensation Hideo Nomo, Park’s presence on the Dodgers became a source of pride among the Korean community in Los Angeles, a community that was still rebuilding from the destruction of the LA riots of 1992.
During his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Park etched his name in the franchise’s record books, delivering several memorable moments and outstanding achievements. In all, Park’s record over eight seasons in Dodger Blue was impressive, especially given the fact that he was pitching on some not-so-great Dodgers teams in the 1990s: 84-58, 3.77 ERA, with a WHIP of 1.324. His best season was in 2000, when he went 18-10 with a 3.27 ERA.
One LA Dodger moment that he’d probably rather forget was in April of 1999 when the St. Louis Cardinals came into town. Park just didn’t have it that night. And in a one-off that has never been repeated, Park gave up the infamous TWO grand slams to Fernando Tatis, Sr. in the first inning of the game. Youch.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Park’s impact extended beyond baseball, inspiring a new generation of aspiring athletes in South Korea and around the world. His success served as a source of pride and motivation for Korean players aspiring to follow in his footsteps, proving that with talent, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible. To date, just 28 Korean players have followed in Park’s footsteps to the big leagues in the U.S., including Ha-seong Kim, the Padres’ star who had a breakout season last year and established himself as one of the game’s elite infielders.
As Park’s career with the Los Angeles Dodgers progressed, he continued to captivate audiences with his remarkable talent and unwavering passion for the game. His contributions to the team’s success and his impact on the sport’s global growth earned him a special place in the hearts of Dodgers fans and baseball enthusiasts worldwide.
After leaving LA, Park would go on to pitch for six other big league clubs, and had a little mini reunion with the Dodgers in 2008, when he pitched 95.1 innings in mostly a relief role before ending his career with Pittsburgh Pirates two years later.
Chan Ho Park’s tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers stands as a testament to his remarkable talent, resilience, and pioneering spirit. As the first South Korean-born player to achieve success in Major League Baseball, Park shattered barriers and blazed a trail for future generations of Korean baseball players. His legacy serves as a source of inspiration and pride for fans around the world, highlighting the transformative power of sports in breaking down cultural barriers and uniting people from diverse backgrounds. As Chan Ho Park’s illustrious career exemplifies, the pursuit of excellence knows no boundaries, and dreams can become reality with unwavering determination and belief.
