Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Park Chan-ho said he has plenty to learn as he prepares to relaunch his career at Japan’s Orix Buffaloes.
“It is a big adventure to play baseball in Japan and it is a big chance as well. I’m very excited,” the 37-year-old South Korean veteran told a news conference in Osaka.
“After I played against Japan at the World Baseball Classic, I have become increasingly interested in Japanese baseball,” he was quoted as saying by Japanese media.
Korean stars Park Chan-ho (left) and Lee Seung-yeop pose with their new uniforms over the weekend. (Yonhap News)
“I want to learn a lot here,” said Park, who in 1994 became the first South Korean to join the major leagues.
Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006 when South Korea finished third.
They retained the title in 2009 by beating the Koreans in the final.
“I feel great pleasure and a sense of mission at the same time. My goal is to win first and foremost. Then I want to set my next goal,” he said.
Park has also played for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
(AFP)
