Recently, there has been great excitement within the baseball community here in Korea with regards to the possible MLB acquisition of Ryu Hyun-jin, a southpaw who throws for the KBO’s Hanwha Eagles. It comes as no surprise, then, that the organization on the other end that is interested is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who, given their long history, have a proud tradition of welcoming new talent across cultural divides into the Big Leagues.

Beginning in 1947, with the signing of Jackie Robinson, and continuing through this day, the Dodgers have never shied away from new ideas, believing that skills on the diamond exist, regardless of where they come from. Ryu Hyun-jin’s possible move will be welcomed in Chavez Ravine and beyond, celebrated by Koreans, both in the greater L.A. area as well as here on the peninsula.

My own personal allegiance to the Blue Crew stems from one of these imported players, Fernando Valenzuela, who hails from Mexico, and like Ryu Hyun-jin, throws his stuff from the left side of the mound. I remember growing up, listening to the Spanish broadcast on a transistor radio playing in my grandmother’s house, not necessarily understanding the words, but still able to feel the energy coming across the airwaves from Dodger Stadium. It is my hope that with the possible acquisition of this Korean pitcher, a new following of fans will likewise be able to tune in, to hear the transcendence of cultural divides across the diamond, and across the Pacific.

The Dodgers themselves are no strangers to Korean baseball pitching talent, as they were the first (as usual) to bring a Korean over to the Major Leagues, through Park Chan-ho who, ironically enough, now finds himself in a Hanwha Eagles’ jersey. Throwing his best stuff during his seven seasons with the Dodgers, Park was a great addition to not only the pitching staff, but to the larger international Dodger community as well. Like Fernando before him, he undoubtedly brought in new fans, given the location of Korea Town to Dodger Stadium, in the heart of Los Angeles.

A baseball organization with such a rich and historical past, the Dodgers continue to break new ground, which the new ownership undoubtedly sees as a valuable asset to a strong team, and in turn, a stronger community. I am happy to be a part of it, from over here in Korea, and can only hope that sometime next season I will find myself back at Chavez Ravine, cheering on the Dodgers, watching them field a global team, surrounded by the cultural diversity which makes not only L.A., but Dodger fans, the best in the world.

By Matthew Jellick

Matthew Jellick is an English teacher at St. Paul’s Girls’ High School in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. ― Ed.