Retired Major League Baseball Pitcher Park Chan Ho To Serve As Promotional Ambassador Of 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier 12
Korea Baseball Organization announced on Wednesday the South Korean sports legend Park Chan Ho will serve as the promotional ambassador of this year's World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier 12.
The Chosunilbo reported on Oct. 22 that the 2015 WBSC will feature 12 countries which top the WBSC's world baseball rankings. Premier 12 championship opens in November (8-21) and will be held in Japan and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, WBSC President Riccardo Faccari says Park embodies "global baseball," as noted by WBSC Oct. 21.
"It's an honour to have Park Chan Ho, one of South Korea's most storied baseball players, as a WBSC Premier12 Global Ambassador," said Faccari. "He personifies 'global baseball' and the new WBSC Premier12 flagship platform: he has played at the top level, and has represented his country and our sport proudly on the international stage."
According to reports, 42-year-old Park was the first South Korean that played Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994 wherein he played as a pitcher. Aside from that, he has also played for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and a lot more.
"I am very honoured and take very seriously this appointment as a Global Ambassador of the inaugural 2015 WBSC Premier12," Park said . "The sport of baseball has shaped my life, and I embrace this responsibility to represent the sport of baseball at the world level for WBSC and Premier12."
He went on, "Playing for my National Team will always be one of my fondest memories of my career, and I will do everything I can to help promote the ideal, the duty and the sense of pride that comes with putting your country first."
Further reports have revealed that baseball became the most popular sport in South Korea after the South Korean National Baseball Team won the gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.