After entering the country, I visited a cafe run by a Korean fan... "I miss you"
Ahead of the 2024 MLB World Tour Seoul Series, Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish (38), who plays for the San Diego Padres, expressed his expectations, saying, "Korea is a country I've liked for a long time."
As San Diego manager Mike Shildt selected Darvish as the starting pitcher for the opening game, Darvish took the opportunity to start in South Korea, which is his favorite country.
Darvish will start the official opening game of the 2024 season against the LA Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the afternoon of the 20th.
"This is my first time in Korea, and I really like this country," Darvish said at a press conference at Gocheok Dome on the 18th, two days before his start. "I'm really happy to take the mound in Korea," he said, expressing his excitement, saying, "I'm also happy that my opponent is the Dodgers."
Darvish, who entered the country with the San Diego squad early on the 15th, visited a cafe run by his Korean fan and drew attention.
Lee Kwang-hee, a big fan of Darvish, posted a video letter on his social networking service (SNS) account and asked him to visit the cafe.
Darvish accepted a fan's request and visited the cafe on the 15th.
He said, "He has supported me for a very long time. I met him when I was playing for the Texas Rangers," adding, "After coming to Seoul, I went to a cafe because I wanted to see my fans. He is a bright man and a couple who have something that I don't have."
Darvish is a veteran who played 11 seasons in the MLB. He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2012 and entered the MLB, where he played in 266 games until last year, posting 103-85 record and 3.59 ERA.
In San Diego, it is all the more meaningful for Darvish, who will start the opening game for the third time after 2021 and 2022.
The Dodgers signed a 10-year, $700 million astronomical contract with Shohei Ohtani, a Japanese superstar who came to the free agent (FA) market after the 2023 season.
In addition, he signed with Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who sought MLB advancement through the posting system, for 12 years and $325 million (about 433.7 billion won).
Darvish enjoyed the joy of winning the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March last year along with Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Darvish said, "I'm now an enemy and I'm going to compete. I'll pitch hard without any personal feelings."
He also gave advice to Yamamoto, who will start the Dodgers on the 21st and make his MLB debut.
"Yamamoto is a good pitcher. I hope you don't be too hasty," Darvish said. "I signed a contract with the Dodgers on such a scale because it received good reviews. If you do what you do in Japan, you will succeed." 토토사이트 순위