Legendary Major League Baseball home run hitter Manny Ramirez (53) visited Korea.
Ramirez is a home run hitter with a career batting average of .312 over 2,302 games in Major League Baseball (8,244 at-bats, 2,574 hits), 555 home runs, 1,831 RBIs, 1,544 runs scored, 38 stolen bases, and an OPS of .996. He boasts an impressive award history, including 12 All-Star selections (1995, 1998-2008), 9 Silver Slugger awards (1995, 1999-2006), two World Series championships (2004, 2007), and a World Series MVP award (2004).
Ramirez, who visited Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 9th to fulfill the schedule for the '2025 Legend Match' set to take place in Korea and Japan in November and December, signed an official agreement with the Korea Professional Baseball retired players association at Gocheok Sky Dome that day and made the ceremonial first pitch at the game between the Kiwoom Heroes and Hanwha Eagles.
Luis Alicea, an infielder who played in the Major Leagues from 1988 to 2002, also participated in the event. Alicea, who recorded a career batting average of .260 over 1,341 games in the Major Leagues (3,971 at-bats, 1,031 hits), 47 home runs, 422 RBIs, 551 runs scored, 81 stolen bases, and an OPS of .715, took on the role of director of the Legend Match.
In a press conference before the game, Ramirez said, "I appreciate the warm welcome here in Korea. I'm happy to be part of such a good event. I'm having such a great experience in Korea that it feels like I'm home. It would have been even better if I could speak Korean."
Ramirez, who played with Kim Byung-hyun during his time in Boston, recalled, "I remember him as an extremely amazing pitcher. We had a good relationship both on and off the field." Director Alicea mentioned Park Chan-ho, who was known as the 'Korean Monster', stating, "He was a pitcher with incredible velocity," adding some strong language.
When asked about the players participating in the '2025 Legend Match', Ramirez said, "We are in contact with a variety of quality players. Notably, we have Andrew Jones. I want to form a team with good players as much as possible. Fans want to see famous players, and I want to meet those expectations."
Director Alicea noted, "We are also reaching out to players who have played not only in the Major Leagues but also in the Minor Leagues. The players we have contacted so far include Fernando Rodney, Didi Gregorius, Andrelton Simmons, Scott Kazmir, Rene Rivera, and Anibal Sanchez."
Director General Cruz explained, "We are currently in the early stages of event planning, so consider it an idea. We are recruiting players by leveraging the network we have built along with Manager Luis and Ramirez. It may take time, but I believe more players will participate as this event becomes more concrete."
Ramirez stated, "I think this event is really important. I'm not just here to play games, but to promote cultural fusion with Korea. I overcame really difficult circumstances during my playing career in New York. That's why I'm participating in this event for community harmony. I hope this event will not be a one-time thing but will take place every year."
Ramirez, who admitted, "Actually, I don't know much about Korean players," noted, "I know the players from Taiwan and Japan well because I've played there, but this is my first visit to Korea." He added with a smile, "I don't know what kind of pitchers will emerge from Korea, but I welcome good players anytime." When asked if he could hit a home run at Gocheok Dome, he replied, "I'm still hitting and managing my physical condition. I really love playing baseball, so I am confident I can hit a home run at Gocheok Dome."
Ramirez, who made his name as a power hitter in the Major Leagues, said, "Recently, I have been closely watching Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers). The Dodgers have many good hitters like Mookie Betts. I also maintain frequent contact with the Boston players and share my technical know-how with them." He continued, "I know there are many talented players in Korea. I want to establish an academy to pass on my baseball knowledge and know-how to Korean prospects. I believe that Korea can definitely produce a post-Ohtani player."
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