“Playing with world-class players, great experience “I will learn a lot”

National baseball team outfielder Kang Baek-ho (KT Wiz) was looking forward to a reunion with American Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers).

The baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, underwent team training in preparation for the '2024 MLB World Tour Seoul Series' at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 16th.

After completing official training, Kang Baek-ho said in an interview with reporters, “I am preparing well for the season and am in very good condition. This is an opportunity to play with talented world-class players. “It will be a good experience,” he said.

The national team will face the San Diego Padres at 7 p.m. on the 17th and the LA Dodgers at 7 p.m. on the 18th.

Kang Baek-ho said about facing a major leaguer, “It feels good to play against players I can’t play with in the league. “He looks forward to watching how batters hit the ball and what plays they make,” he said.

The player who attracts the most attention in the Dodgers is Otani. Last December, he signed a huge 10-year contract worth $700 million (about 932.6 billion won) with the Dodgers. A large crowd of people welcomed Otani at the arrival hall on the 15th.

Kang Baek-ho reunites with Ohtani after a year. They had experience competing against each other at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March last year. Kang Baek-ho said, “I saw him at the WBC, but it is an honor to meet him again like this. 

“I will learn a lot,” he said. Coach Ryu Joong-il, who leads the national team, said of Otani, “He looks like a character from a cartoon,” and “I want to get his autograph.” Kang Baek-ho responded, “I want to get an autograph too. “A cool player,” he said with a smile.

 Regarding his attitude towards the Seoul Series, Kang Baek-ho said, “I think it will be a good experience in preparing for the season rather than thinking about having to show it. Whatever the result, it is a plus for me. He said, “I am grateful just to go to the plate and play the game.”  한국야동