By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
"Age is just a number," a well-known telecommunication company said in a television commercial. But age still means something in Korea, especially for a sports career.
One veteran baseball player, though, is challenging the idea. He is the now former Lotte Giants pitcher Choi Hyang-nam, 38, who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $7,500 per month Saturday.
The Cardinals are the National League (NL) Central Division of the Major League Baseball (MLB) powerhouse. They have won 10 World Series championships, second only to the New York Yankees, which have 26.
"I dreamed of hitting the ground in the Major Leagues around 1997," Choi said in an interview with The Korea Times, Friday. At that time, his former team, LG Twins, didn't allow him to go because he emerged as an effective pitcher, going 8-3 with a 2.99 ERA.
Choi was released by the Seoul-based team in 2004. He moved back to the Kia Tigers on the basis that the team would help him go to the United States.
Finally, he crossed the Pacific Ocean to sign for the Buffalo Bisons in 2005.
The Bisons are the Cleveland Indians affiliate in Triple-A and play in the International League (IL).
He played quite well by recording an 8-5 with a 2.37 ERA in the 2006 season, but no big league team showed an interest in him.
The right-hander returned to Korea and joined the Giants in 2007.
While playing in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Choi participated in the Dominican Winter League last November in a bid to attract MLB teams, and finally, the Red Birds took him via what is called a posting system.
"They checked me through various methods ― monitoring my pitching style through videos and examining records in the Minor leagues," he said.
``I also had a test in the Dominican Republic. They told me that I can handle hitters with changeup and breaking ball. They also made sure that I still have good body tone for my age."
Remarkably, he actually appears to look in his early 30s.
``No alcohol, no cigarettes, no fatigue. I keep these policies. I enjoy natural foods. I do not eat fried or grilled meats. It is important not to eat anything bad for the body.''
^He is not the first Korean pitcher to play in the MLB.
Park Chan-ho can claim that record.
But Choi is trying to prove that a product of the KBO can be effective in the MLB.
``Do you think Park Chan-ho is a Korean player?" he asked.
``I don't think he is a Korean player. He, of course, was born in Korea, but he moved to the States in his early 20s, and the Los Angeles Dodgers coaches trained him with American baseball skills. He pitches a very American style. So I think he is an American pitcher.
``Following him, a few Korean pitchers, such as Koo Dae-sung and Lee Sang-hoon, went to the MLB, but they all flopped. If I can survive in the league, I may show that a Korean baseball pitcher is good enough to play in the big leagues."
Koo played for the New York Mets in 2005 and delivered 23 innings with a 3.91, while Lee pitched in nine games for the Boston Red Sox in the 2000 season, recording no decisions and a 3.09 ERA.
Both of them advanced to the Major League after playing in the Japanese league.
Choi is the first Korean baseball player to go directly to the United States through the posting system, with the Cardinals bidding $101 to secure his services.
``No one went in this way. I want to make a new path to the Major Leagues for my fellow players. I'm okay even if I fail. The important thing is that I'm running with my dream. I'm doing what I want. That is more important than getting money."
Sports broadcaster Lee Sung-deok said in his book called "Giants Nation," published last year: "Choi does not sit back. He always trains himself for the new world. I admire his courage."