1994
February 23, 1994
Chan Ho Park, the first South Korean player to play in the United States, has been practicing his English in the early days of Spring Training. He walked up to Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda and said in English, "How come you look so tired?" Lasorda began to respond to the question and then realized Chan Ho was speaking English to him. 1
March 7, 1994
Chan Ho Park makes his first pitching appearance against another major league team when he pitches three scoreless innings against the New York Mets. Park allowed one hit and one walk in the three innings. In his first plate appearance, Park bowed to home plate umpire Larry Vanover in a sign of his respect for the umpire. 2
March 25, 1994
Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire said of Chan Ho Park, the Dodgers' 20-year old pitcher from South Korea that "If Chan Ho were an American and had been eligible for last June's college draft, he probably would have been among the top five players picked."Â 3
April 1, 1994
Former Dodger player Don Zimmer, now a major league coach for the Colorado Rockies, reminisces of his days in Spring Training with the Dodgers.  "I wouldn't trade anything in my life for going to Vero Beach, Florida in 1950 and 1951. Coaching was different then. In those camps, we had 24 minor league clubs, and it became a special place. One time we had 750 players in camp. Not all were signed, but all got tryouts. We'd have to get up at 7 a.m. and go across the street. We had a big hall and a stage. One morning Tommy Holmes would be there talking about hitting. Another morning, it would be Al Campanis talking about infield play, or somebody stressing hitting and pitching. As a player, you went right down the line." Zimmer was asked who was the best organization he had played for during his career. "The Dodgers. I was probably brought up in as good an organization as there ever was. I'm talking about all phases of the game-bunting, sliding, hitting, whatever it may be." 4
July 7, 1994
The 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, is a visitor to Dodgertown and is given a tour of the facilities.
November 29, 1994
Dodger President Peter O'Malley announced the Samsung Lions, a professional baseball team in South Korea, have accepted an invitation from the Dodgers to participate in Spring Training next season at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. The Lions will be making their fourth overall trip for Spring Training in Dodgertown after visiting Dodgertown in 1985, 1992, and 1993. 5
For more on the history of the Dodgers Spring Training visit walteromalley.com