2024-03-17 18:00:00
Dodgers manager at MLB Seoul Series first practice game admires K-cheering culture “Cheerleaders cheer until the end… “It was fresh”
“I practiced so that when I met Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) at first base, I would say ‘Congratulations on your wedding, superstar’ in Japanese.”
Professional baseball Kiwoom first baseman Choi Joo-hwan might not hide his excitement ahead of the special match (practice game) once morest the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball (MLB) held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 17th. If Ohtani got on base, he would have a chance to talk briefly. Meeting Ohtani was something all players looked forward to. However, Choi Joo-hwan’s wish did not come true as Ohtani, who played as the number 2 designated hitter, struck out in both of his at-bats.
Ohtani, who took his first at-bat in the top of the first inning once morest Kiwoom starting pitcher Furado amid applause and cheers from the crowd, struck out following missing a high sinker (148 km/h) in a 2-ball, 2-strike situation. In Ohtani’s second at-bat in the second inning with one out and first and third bases on, he struck out on a high fastball (147 km/h) on the fifth pitch. Ohtani was replaced as a pinch hitter during the top of the 4th inning. Jurado, who played for Texas in 2018 and 2019, also showed a strong performance once morest Ohtani in MLB with 4 hits in 22 at-bats (hitting percentage of 0.182) and 6 strikeouts.
Aside from Ohtani’s slump, the Dodgers’ batting lineup was on fire. The Dodgers, who will play the 2024 MLB opening two-game series (Seoul Series) once morest San Diego at the same stadium on the 20th and 21st, faced Kiwoom with the best lineup that day. Third hitter Freddie Freeman went 3-for-6 with 1 RBI, including a go-ahead solo home run in the first inning, and 8th hitter Jason Heyward also had 3 hits and 4 RBIs in 5 at-bats, giving the Dodgers a 14-3 win over Kiwoom.
From the 5th inning, Kiwoom used rookie pitchers such as Son Hyun-ki, Joo Seung-woo, Kim Yun-ha, Kim Yeon-ju, and Jeon Jun-pyo to gain experience. Closer Cho Sang-woo, who returned from military service, also appeared on the mound in the 9th inning and allowed 1 run in 1 inning. In the batting lineup, No. 4 hitter Choi Joo-hwan hit a timely hit to left in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Song Seong-moon showed his best performance with 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 3 at-bats.
On this day, in the first and third base cheering stands, cheerleaders encouraged cheering with lively movements, just like in Korean professional baseball games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said following the game, “The cheerleaders cheered us on until the end. “The cheering led by cheerleaders was refreshing because it was a culture that did not exist in MLB,” he said. The game, where the cheapest ticket was 60,000 won, had 14,671 spectators and was not sold out (18,000 seats).
Reporter Lee Heon-jae [email protected]
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