At the start of this year's baseball season three Koreans are going back to work. However, they are all starting off in very different circumstances. Korean pitcher Park Chan-ho is looking to represent both country and club as he has just secured the 5th starter spot pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Baek Cha-seung is also coming to the new season as a starting pitcher at the San Diego Padres who have no world championship title to defend and instead are looking to redeem themselves from last season. Finally Choo Shin-soo returned to the Cleveland Indians after participating in the World Baseball Classic, engaging in a rigorous fitness schedule to prepare for the coming season.

After the hard fought victory over J.A. Happ for the 5th starter spot on the Phillies pitching roster, Park has no time to rest. The Phillies, who are the defending world champions of 2008, are off to a rough start as they have a 0-2 record for the start of the 2009 season. The Phillies played the Atlanta Braves on April 5, 2009 and lost in a disappointing 4-0 showing. However, Park made an impressive showing when he pitched a scoreless 6th inning in the game after relieving Jamie Moyer. Because of that,

Park will start his first game in April 12 against none other than the Colorado Rockies, the team that the Phillies overcame last year in the finals of the world championship. Many see the Phillies as having a real chance of reclaiming the title of World Champion as their line-up remains largely the same. Park, who replaced Kyle Kendrick, is one of only a few changes to the Phillies starting roster. With his coming performance on Wednesday he will have to prove his worth to a team looking to go all the way once again.

The San Diego Padres are looking for redemption this season. After a poor showing last year, the Padres are looking for a fresh start. However, that may prove difficult as their No.3 starting pitcher, Baek Cha-seung, was just recently injured on March 29th and placed on the fifteen day disabled list. Baek, who was acquired by the Padres last year, had an impressive record in the Triple A and is now looking to make an impact on the MLB stage.

Although not a pitcher, Choo Shin-soo is a valued asset for his MLB team, the Cleveland Indians. With an OPS of 1.038, the 4th highest in all of baseball, Choo is both one of the most talented outfielders in the MLB and secured a starting position in right field. Since returning from the World Baseball Classic, Choo has been put through a rigorous and accelerated spring training session so that he will be ready to start for the Indian's seven days a week.

Because of contract restrictions with the Indians, Choo could only play for two games in the World Baseball Classic and, due to the excess amount of leisure time, has needed to work hard to reach the level of cardio he needs to perform. Fortunately, after a game against the Cubs on April 2, Choo has stated that he feels, "more confident than he did when he first came back from the classic." Choo has been working with both the batting and fitness coaches of the Indians and before every game has gone through a rigorous warm up session, including 30-40 minutes of cardio. Indian’s manager Eric Wedge has stated that while he may wait a week or two to start Choo seven days a week there is no doubt that he will be a regular this season.

There have only been ten Korean players in the history of the MLB. It is truly remarkable that today three of those ten are all starting players in the coming season. Further with all of them beginning the season with teams in such different positions there will be something for everyone to cheer about. Whether you are inclined to watch an underdog, a defending champion, or a traditional competitor the three clubs that these players represent will all be taking different roads to get through the coming months.


source: dynamic-korea
credits: aeinsshi