1996

February 14, 1996

Players of the baseball team of Han Yang University in Seoul, South Korea, arrive in Vero Beach to become the first South Korean university team to conduct Spring Training in Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. The college baseball team was invited to work with Dodger instructors and play games against Dodger minor league teams. Dodger President Peter O'Malley extended the invitation to honor Dodger right hand pitcher Chan Ho Park, who had attended Han Yang University in 1992 and 1993. At the time, Han Yang was South Korea's largest university with 27,000 students. 1   Dodger President Peter O'Malley said in December, 1995 at the time of the acceptance by Han Yang, "We will enthusiastically welcome the Han Yang University baseball team at Dodgertown and I know the young men will benefit by this international experience." 2 The Dodgers previously had a relationship with South Korea when they were invited as the first non-Korean business to become a member of the Korean-American Chamber of Commerce. Also, the Dodgers were the first major league team to broadcast a regular season game in the Korean language. 3

February 27, 1996

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda drove into Holman Stadium on his personal golf cart and as he entered the stadium, "Hail to the Chief" was heard on the public address system as the crowd cheered. 4

February 29, 1996

Dodger President Peter O'Malley was interviewed by Korean newspapers at the conclusion of the Hanyang University baseball team Spring Training in Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida.   He told the media that "The invitation of the Han Yang University is a historical event. Through this event, the Dodgers became closer to Korean baseball than ever. I will do my best to help the Korean National team (for the Atlanta Olympic Games). Korean baseball has made progress enormously in a short period. For many Korean coaches coming to the U.S. for the training and because of popularity of baseball in Korea, Korean baseball will progress even faster in the future." 5 When asked of his reason to invite Han Yang University to train at Dodgertown, O'Malley said, "The Dodgers are international management-oriented. There are a number of players from 15 different nations playing under the Dodger organization and I am proud of that. ….I believe we can exchange friendship and unify this world through baseball. 6

March 10, 1996

The Dodgers and Montreal Expos played an exhibition game in Dodgertown with an international flavor having two Japanese umpires on the bases. National League Umpire Bruce Froemming was behind the plate in his participation of an international exchange of baseball umpires. 7

March 14, 1996

 - International singing star Vic Damone is a visitor to Dodgertown at the invitation of Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda. 8   In the exhibition game played that day, the Dodgers turned a triple play started by first baseman Mike Busch when he caught a line drive, tagged first base for the first runner and then threw to second base to finish the triple play. In 38 seasons in Los Angeles, the Dodgers had not turned a triple play in a major league game. 9

March 24, 1996

Chan Ho Park was telling writers he recently spoke to his mother in South Korea before his previous start in Dodgertown for Spring Training. Chan Ho said, "It was the first time she ever called me at Dodgertown. My mom doesn't know English. I say, 'Mom, how did you get through our switchboard. You don't speak English. She told me, 'Moms can do anything.' Then, in English, she told me, 'Relax, just relax." 10

March 25, 1996

Dodger pitcher Hideo Nomo was featured in an automobile commercial that featured voice-activated navigation. The highlight of the commercial is that Nomo is driving in the Florida Keys, a relatively straight, continuous highway there. As Nomo drives, the voice-navigator repeats, "Straight ahead, straight ahead, straight ahead." 11

1 ^ Vero Beach Press-Journal, December 23, 1995

2 ^   Los Angeles Sentinel, December 28, 1995  

3 ^   Vero Beach Press-Journal, December 23, 1995   

4 ^ Tim Brown, Los Angeles Daily News, February 27, 1996

5 ^ Sports Central, February 29, 1996

6 ^  Sports Chosun Daily News, February 29, 1996 

7 ^ Larry Rocca, Orange County Register, March 11, 1996

8 ^ Larry Rocca, Orange County Register, March 15, 1996

9 ^ Bob Nightengale, Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1996

10 ^ Bob Nightengale, Los Angeles Times, March 24, 1996

11 ^ Hilary MacGregor, Los Angeles Times, March 25, 1996

For more on the history of the Dodgers Spring Training visit walteromalley.com