In a thrilling start to the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a dramatic comeback to beat the San Diego Padres. This game was not just any opener; it marked the first MLB regular season game ever played in South Korea.
Shohei Ohtani made a memorable debut with the Dodgers at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. In this historic game, he managed to hit 2-for-5, drove in a run, and even stole a base. This was the first of two games set to take place in Seoul, kicking off the new season with excitement.
The Dodgers’ new pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was signed for a whopping $325 million during the offseason, is scheduled to start his first MLB game on Thursday. On the other side, Joe Musgrove will be on the mound for the Padres, following a successful 2023 season where he achieved a 10-3 record with a 3.05 ERA.
Stay tuned for updates from Thursday’s game in Korea, which promises to be an exciting match-up.
The game between the Dodgers and Padres in Seoul, South Korea, is set to begin at 6 a.m. ET on Thursday. It will be broadcasted on ESPN, so make sure not to miss it.
In a surprising turn of events, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mizuhara, who has been a constant figure by Ohtani’s side since his MLB career began in 2018, was allegedly involved in a scheme to steal significant sums of money from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. This shocking news came just hours after Ohtani’s regular season debut with the Dodgers in Seoul.
The Los Angeles Times uncovered that Ohtani’s name came up in a federal investigation related to illegal bookmaking activities in Orange County. Ohtani’s legal team began investigating Mizuhara’s actions after discovering their client’s connection to the case. According to reports, the amount Mizuhara is accused of stealing is in the millions, with ESPN stating that his debts amounted to at least $4.5 million.
The Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul is the proud host of the Dodgers vs. Padres games on Wednesday and Thursday. This stadium is the home of the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes. For those interested, the stadium dimensions are as follows: Left Field – 325 feet, Right Field – 325 feet, and Center Field – 400 feet.
MLB’s official Opening Day, featuring all 30 teams, is scheduled for Thursday, March 28. The full schedule for March 28 (all times Eastern) is packed with exciting matchups, promising a fantastic start to the season.