Korea¡¯s penchant for baseball doesn¡¯t go as far back as one may assume, considering the mainstream fervor surrounding it. In the 1980s, teams representing major cities were established. In two subsequent decades, the nation¡¯s baseball scene had grown from eight teams to full-fledged major and minor league systems and a world-class presence dubbed by ESPN as ¡°the center¡± (of the first World Baseball Classic, 2006) and which won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Contrary to the niche demographic of Koreans prone to watch Korean professional baseball up until the 90s, baseball now garners a mainstream, demographically well-distributed fan base. All this goes to say the mainstream presence — or rather, stature — of Korean baseball was only fledgling when Park became the first Korean to join Major League Baseball (MLB) upon debuting in 1994 as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

During his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Park has played against the (LA) Dodgers during the
National League Championship Series at the Dodgers Stadium (2009, Los Angeles, CA, U. S. A.). © shutterstock.

Enduring Legacy in Cultivating
Next-gen Stars

For well over two decades since 1998, the Park Chanho Foundation has supported more than 320 youths from across the nation aspiring to grow into professional baseball players. With a selection process that ensures transparency, maximal objectivity in assessment and consideration for those with pressing fiscal needs, the foundation also hosts camps, clinic sessions and such activities geared towards raising talent in the sport.

Park derives profound happiness from his activities as a benefactor. ¡°Giving youngsters the boost they deserve, toward inching closer to their career goals, invigorates me with bouts of happiness,¡± he says. ¡°Giving talks and seminars to our next generation leaders or aspirants recharge me: with a sense of fulfillment, plus joy and gratitude for the opportunity to share my story with fellows with potential to pave even grander narratives of their own and for our country. Updates of youth recipients who our foundation has funded, like news of them debuting the KBO League (the top, most popularly watched league in Korean baseball) and thrive, are immensely rewarding to hear.¡±

As a figure renowned for his effusive personality
and undistilled energy, it is only befitting that
he understands what life is like for expats.

Displayed at the site of his retirement ceremony (2012) are uniforms of all the teams he had played his part in, as a baseball professional.

Cultural Agility

Park has long been renowned for his energetic spirit and sociability. Thus, it is only befitting that he dwells on what life is like for Korean expats. Whether through his messages toward Koreans living outside of their nation of origin, advice for fledgling players pining for overseas advancement or recounting the dozen-plus years of his career in the United States, he imparts great empathy in speaking of what it¡¯s like to adjust to foreign environments.

¡°When I first began to play — eventually going on to lead a life — abroad, I certainly struggled with the cultural differences that were wholly upon me to acclimatize to,¡± he says. ¡°Loneliness dawned heavily on me in addition to all the burdens of facing layers of unfamiliarity.¡±

On a brighter note, he adds, ¡°Once you¡¯ve opened yourself up to fellow comrades and done whatever else you had to feel more at ease, it all will have been worth it.¡±

Prior to competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the power pitcher practices with the national team that went on to win the gold medal.

Speaking for the Koreans he directly encountered whilst in the United States as well as others of the Korean diaspora: ¡°I was fortunate enough to reside in major cities within the U.S. The access to Koreatown and sizable Korean communities was an immense blessing for me.¡±

Continuing on what an impact fellow Koreans have had on him at the time, Park says, ¡°Having an audience who¡¯d always be enthused for me, greeting and cheering me on with genuine affection and patriotism; seeing them gather on sheer account of our shared heritage¡¦ that bond I was able to form with them as a national representative of my sport, was a source of great relief for me while abroad. I would say that such moments of connection to my regionally direct audience, regardless of how well I had played or what good or bad streak I was on, gave me a great sense of pride.¡±

During his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Park has played against the (LA) Dodgers during the National League Championship Series at the Dodgers Stadium (2009, Los Angeles, CA, U. S. A.).

Through National Hardship

Characteristically — as he is known for his comradeship with retired golfer Park Seri — the retired pitcher takes the opportunity to hat-tip her for providing him inspiration as a world-class peer active also in the United States during the time of his own MLB career. ¡°Her record-setting career in the U.S. as Korea¡¯s first professional golfer to leave such a mark coincided with Korea¡¯s financial crisis of the late 90s,¡± he says. ¡°To see a fellow Korean make topflight strides and a name for herself precisely at a time when the nation and its middle-class citizenry direly lacked pleasant engagement and consolation, even a source of national pride, boosted my morale as a fellow sportsperson of Korean heritage and of the times [when our citizens were reeling from historic, nationwide economic hardship].¡±

In a similar vein of offering timeless solace — which the current pandemic has attributed greater significance to in our current times —, he assures us that ¡°Overcoming whatever [cultural, environmental] hurdle(s) will all have been worth it, once you¡¯ve stuck through.¡± Considering the expansive duration of his career overseas, it becomes clear how much of his advice stems from genuine experience.

Park attributes sincere meaning and derives much joy from his over two decades-long dedication to coaching, mentoring and spreading not only helpful advice but also energy and charisma.

Park attributes sincere meaning and derives much joy from his over two decades-long dedication to coaching, mentoring and spreading not only helpful advice but also energy and charisma.

Endeavoring, Repeatedly

Earlier this year, Park announced a next venture of his that is nearly, if not entirely, unprecedented among retirees in the domestic sports scene: to pursue professional designation in another sport. After expressing particular zeal towards golf, he made a public announcement in early 2021 of his plans to partake in professional golf.

Speaking of his professed ambitions, Park describes his motives as ¡°challenge(s) of all sorts have the effect of refueling me. It moves me in a way that I need to be and enjoy. Passion and challenge, directed towards goals aligned with my interests and compatible with my inclinations, add so much value and quality to life. It gets me going every day and keeps me fueled!¡±

As for what success means to him and on the journey towards it, Park points out, ¡°Persistence is key. That¡¯s a definitive trait running through the veins of all ¡®accomplished professionals.¡¯ Another tip I have for taking care of your mentality is to never beat yourself down, nor get high-headed, but to simply retain equanimity through and through, giving yourself appropriate doses of what emotion, sentiment or reminder that¡¯d work to your favor in your current state or situation.¡±

Park attributes sincere meaning and derives much joy from his over two decades-long dedication to coaching, mentoring and spreading not only helpful advice but also energy and charisma.