The Park Effect and Former Mets in Korea
By Mike Silva ~ February 28th, 2010. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Earlier this week I was talking about Shin-Soo Choo and the possibility of him missing time to serve in the Korean Military. Since NYBD makes friends all over the world, we received an email from someone in Korea who gave us an update on some former Mets still playing there.
Jae Seo has kind of struggled here since coming back. His team, the Kia Tigers, won the championship last year, but his ERA was over 6 and he got a sizable pay cut. I was told all contracts in Korea are arbitration style, could you imagine that in the United States? Dae-Sung Koo is still pitching at age 41 and put up a 3.72 ERA in 55 innings for the Hanwha Eagles. Of course, everyone remembers his famous at bat and base running adventure against the Yankees in 2005. I have enclosed the video below.
Here is another thought I had: Just like the Yankees opened up an advantage in Japan when they signed Hideki Matsui, could the same happen with Chan Ho Park? I realize these are players at completely different levels when signed, but playing in New York can make just about anyone larger than life. If Park continues to pitch well out of the bullpen, and more importantly, wins a title with the Yankees you never know.
Korea hasn’t been fertile ground like Japan, but as you can see with Choo, there is some talent down there.
