New book guides readers to MLB stadiums
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This photo taken by the author Choi Young-jo, shows AT&T Park, a home stadium for the San Francisco Giants of the Major League Baseball (MLB). / Courtesy of Isang Media
“MLB Travelogue” by Choi Young-jo; published by Isang Media; 336 pages; 16,000 won
By Baek Byung-yeul
Ever since Park Chan-ho made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1994, American baseball has become one of the most popular sports in Korea along with the European football.
With three Korean-born players currently playing there, a local MLB columnist Choi Young-jo recently published a book introducing American baseball stadiums after finishing a tour of all 30.
Choi, who started watching baseball when he was eight years old, writes he was “hooked on” major league after watching Park throw his trademark fastball.
“My passion toward major league grew since I was serving in the army as a KATUSA (South Korean soldiers assigned to U.S. Army operations in Korea). Reading and watching materials related to MLB, I was completely attracted to American baseball and began dreaming of visiting all 30 stadiums,” Choi says in the book.
Titled “MLB Travelogue,” the book not only gives a glimpse of every MLB stadium, ranging from Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, to Nationals Park of the Washington Nationals, but also works as a solid guide book for travelers visiting those parks as it explains information about public transportation, accommodation and famous dining destinations. Plus, the author didn’t forget to include the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, where plaques of legendary ball players are hung.
The author, who describes himself as a great fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, embarked on his journey to the U.S. ball parks for the first time in his life right after completing his military duty and toured nine of them. Choi visited the U.S. again in 2013 and 2014 and toured all 30 stadiums for this travelogue.
Choi, who also likes to play baseball, is currently playing in the amateur baseball league and has been writing columns about MLB for local online news outlets.
Published by Isang Media. 336 pages. 16,000 won.