South Korean team pumped for World Baseball Classic
The Hankyoreh

I’m going to plant the Korean flag on the pitcher’s mound in the finals.” (Seo Jae-eung, KIA Tigers)

On Jan. 15 at the Renaissance Hotel in Seoul’s Gangnam district, the Korean national baseball team, led by head coach Ryu Jung-il, revealed its team uniform and showed its readiness to achieve victory in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will take place in March 2013.

“If we can achieve that unique Korean teamwork, we will reach an even higher level of performance in this tournament than in the first and second WBC,” Ryu said.

(Source: koreamjournal)

Korea drops Major Leaguer Choo Shin-soo from WBC roster
Yonhap via Korea Times

Choo Shin-soo, outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball (MLB), on Thursday was dropped from Korea’s roster for the World Baseball Classic next spring.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said Choo had asked to be left off the national team for the March 2-19 tournament so that he can prepare for his first season with the Reds. He was recently traded from the Cleveland Indians to the National League club.

Park Chan-ho Heads to Los Angeles to Mull Retirement Plans
Chosun Ilbo

Park Chan-ho left for Los Angeles on Thursday in what may amount to a year out of the limelight as he ponders his options going forward some three weeks after he called time on his career as a professional baseball player.

“I may just take next year to think about what to do next,” he said before his departure.

Shin-Soo Choo Traded To Cincinnati Reds

Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo’s wish to join a winning team was granted on Tuesday after the Cleveland Indians traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team trade involving nine players.

The Reds want Choo to bat leadoff and play center,according to the Associated Press.

“We think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup both offensively and defensively,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement. “He is an exciting player, and we expect him to set the table.”

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Korean Ace Pitcher Ryu Signs Deal With Dodgers

South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, realizing his lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues.

The deal was signed only a minute before the 2 p.m. deadline on Sunday. If a deal had not been reached, Ryu would have had to return to his team, the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. The agreement also reportedly includes various performance bonuses that can expand the value of the contract up to $42 million.

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Indians also shopping Shin-Soo Choo
CBS Sports

Asdrubal Cabrera’s availability is no surprise, but Shin-Soo Choo? The dangling of the 30-year-old outfielder suggests a full-on rebuilding process. Certainly, he’ll draw interest.

Chan Ho Park Retires From Baseball

Korea’s pioneering major leaguer Chan Ho Park is retiring from baseball, putting an end to a colorful 18-year professional career which spanned nine teams in three different countries.

Park, nicknamed the “Korean Express” during his best years at the Los Angeles Dodgers, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday to announce his retirement.

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Former MLB pitcher Park Chan-ho announces retirement
Yonhap News

Former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Park Chan-ho on Thursday announced his retirement from baseball, an official at his club said.

“Park Chan-ho delivered a letter to the club this afternoon stating his intention to retire,” said the Hanwha Eagles official, adding that the club decided to “respect the decision.”

Rays add top prospect Lee, three others to roster
MLB.com

Prior to Tuesday night’s deadline to set its 40-man roster, Tampa Bay added four players to bring its roster to 39.

Added to the Rays’ roster were shortstops Tim Beckham and Hak-Ju Lee and left-handed pitchers Felipe Rivero and Enny Romero.

Korean Pitcher Close to Signing Deal With Los Angeles Dodgers

Could we be on the cusp of the second coming of Chan Ho mania?

The Los Angeles Dodgers submitted the winning bid for left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, earning the exclusive right to sign the 25-year-old Korean star.

The Dodgers’ offer of $25.7 million was accepted by the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization, and the Dodgers now have 30 days to negotiate a contract with Ryu, who is being represented by big-name agent Scott Boras.

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