Dodgers’ stars amped for South Korea experience
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LOS ANGELES -- The last week of Spring Training was chaotic for the Dodgers.
When you walked inside the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., big brown boxes were placed in front of every player’s locker. Packing up at the end of spring is common, but the Dodgers were doing so for both the Opening Series in Seoul, South Korea, and to go back to Los Angeles.
• Everything you need to know about the Seoul Series
But as hectic as the last week was, when the Dodgers boarded their charter plane Thursday morning, the excitement and reality of getting to experience a different culture and one of the world's unique cities had finally set in.
“I’ve never been to South Korea. It’ll be awesome,” Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow said. “They’ve been giving us little tidbits and stuff in South Korea -- how populated it is, how big a city, stuff around it, things to do. I’m excited.”
Of the players making the trip, Glasnow probably has the most travel experience. He has made it a point to travel to at least one foreign city over the last few offseasons. Even on the road during the season, Glasnow takes time to walk around each city.
He expects to be able to on this trip as well. Of course, his priority will be being ready for Opening Day on Wednesday at 3:05 a.m. PT, but he’ll get plenty of sightseeing done, too. Blending in at 6-foot-8 will be a little more difficult, though.
“It’ll be a really cool experience,” Glasnow said. “One of those things you look back on and, ‘Wow.’ It’ll be an awesome experience.”
Manager Dave Roberts echoed Glasnow’s sentiments. Roberts, who is of Japanese descent, has never been to South Korea and noted he’s excited to visit a country -- and the continent of Asia as a whole -- while also enjoying the unique atmospheres that should resemble those of the Korean Baseball Organization.
“Seeing Seoul and seeing -- you hear comps on what type of city it is to United States cities,” Roberts said. “I’m excited about the Korean people and starting our season. It’s gonna be fun. I’m a big cultural guy and we’re going to do a tour of a palace -- I’m not sure the name of it yet. Might play some golf.”
Golf is something many players on the team are also looking forward to. Even Yoshinobu Yamamoto might get in on the action with some personalized golf clubs. Mookie Betts is also looking forward to exploring some. Doing so as a superstar, however, won’t be easy. Just ask Shohei Ohtani.
The Dodgers are expecting more fanfare on the road this season than ever before. Fans across the country have always been present on the road, but this year will be different after signing Ohtani this offseason. Los Angeles’ road games are likely to create some of the craziest atmospheres for a traveling party in decades. And that’s going to be on another level on Wednesday and Thursday in Seoul.
“I don’t think we can appreciate what it’s going to look like,” Roberts said. “But as far as ramping up security and just taking care of the players, it’s gonna be a lot. But my job is just to make sure everyone stays focused on winning baseball games.”
While the Dodgers are excited for the trip and the sightseeing, their main goal is to win two baseball games against the NL West rival Padres. In order to maximize the club’s chances, Los Angeles brought a sleep and hydration doctor into camp earlier this week in an attempt to help navigate through a 16-hour time difference.
It’s going to be quite the show in Seoul. And the Dodgers will be in the middle of it all.
“We have to stay focused on the big picture, which is full season and postseason and where we want to go,” said Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, who was part of the traveling party to Sydney in 2014. “But definitely this is something that is a challenge for us, and we’re up for it.”