Farewell for Park Chan-ho

Park Chan-ho, Korea's first U.S. major league player waves to fans, before throwing the ceremonial first pitch during the All-Star Game at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, Friday. / Yonhap

By Kim Tae-jong

It wasn't exactly like his trademark fast ball during his heydays at the Major League, but Park Chan-ho's ceremonial first pitch in the All-Star Game on Friday was impressive enough to commemorate his retirement.

"I will never forget this graceful moment," Park said on the mound after the ceremonial pitch at the Champion's Field stadium in Gwangju. "Since I retired in 2012, I have dreamed of standing on the mound again, and I have really wanted to pitch again."

The event came as players wanted to have him in the All-Star Game to celebrate Park's retirement, although it was a bit late.

The 41-year-old, wearing the uniform of the Hanwha Eagles, which he played for up until his retirement, received a standing ovation from fans.

After ending his overseas career, he signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in 2011. With the local club, he played an active role, pitching in 23 games with five wins, 10 losses and a 5.06 ERA.

"For me, baseball was like a school. The sport was my subject, through which I've learned so many things," he said. "I've also met so many good people and I want to thank them all on this occasion."

Park is considered one of the best Korean baseball players.

The prodigy won team MVP for three consecutive seasons when he attended Gongju High School in South Chungcheong Province and joined the 1992 and 1993 Korea national baseball team.

When he was in his second year at Seoul's Hanyang University, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and became the first Korean-born to play in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994.

He then spent 16 years in the big league until 2010 to leave an indelible mark of 124 career victories, the most by an Asian pitcher.

For over three seasons from 2002 to 2005, he was one of the 10 highest-paid players in the league, placing his name among star players like Alex Rodriguez. He eventually appeared in the 2001 All-Star Game with the mounting support.

After leaving the American league, he joined the Orix Buffaloes in Japan before returning to Korea.

Wrapping up his speech in the All-Star Game, Park thanked all baseball fans, he promised to devote the rest of his life to the development of Korean baseball.

"I really want to thank all my fans and people who taught me passion and patriotism and pride as a Korean. I can't pitch again but I'll do my best to help develop baseball in Korea. I love you. Thank you," he said.

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