SEOUL - San Diego Padres players are expressing their enthusiasm for the upcoming Major League Baseball (MLB) Seoul Series, set to captivate South Korean fans in what will be a landmark event for the sport in the nation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the team anticipates an electrifying atmosphere at Gocheok Sky Dome, where they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first MLB games ever held in South Korea. Tatis noted his excitement about the South Korean fans' passion and energy, predicting a memorable experience for players and spectators alike during the series scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The event holds particular significance for Padres' third baseman Manny Machado, who highlighted the special resonance of playing alongside teammate Kim Ha-seong, a South Korean native and former star of the Korea Baseball Organization's Kiwoom Heroes. Machado emphasized the emotional significance of the series for Kim, reflecting on their shared activities in Seoul, including a children's baseball clinic that underscored Kim's role model status for the country's youth.
Machado also recounted the privilege of meeting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, adding a diplomatic touch to their sports diplomacy mission. He expressed admiration for the cultural exchange and the unique opportunity to engage with South Korean society and its baseball community.
Xander Bogaerts, another key player for the Padres, shared his previous experience at Gocheok Sky Dome during the 2017 World Baseball Classic and discussed the challenges of adjusting to the local time zone, especially with the series featuring night games. Nevertheless, Bogaerts conveyed readiness and determination to perform at his best, underscoring the team's commitment to delivering a top-tier baseball spectacle for their South Korean fans.
The Padres' participation in the MLB Seoul Series not only signifies a major milestone for baseball's global outreach but also reinforces the sport's unifying power, bridging cultural gaps and fostering international camaraderie.