Kim Hye-sung (26), who joined the LA Dodgers, revealed a conversation he had with Shohei Ohtani.

Kim left for the U.S. via Incheon International Airport on Wednesday. She will fly to the Phoenix after passing Seattle. She will cross the Pacific Ocean with a three-plus-two-year, up to 22 million-dollar contract with the Dodgers. Kim plans to train in the U.S. to join the roster for the opening game.

In fact, there were several teams besides the Dodgers that offered Kim a recruitment. It is known that there are the Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Angels. Considering the competition to become a starting pitcher, Kim had a different choice. However, Kim chose to go to the most competitive Dodgers.메이저놀이터

Kim met Ohtani before becoming a co-worker. Kim worked out at the same training facility as Ohtani. At the time, Kim reportedly told Ohtani that she would apply for posting soon, and Ohtani responded by saying, "I support you." When Kim joined the Dodgers, Ohtani posted a picture of Kim on her social networking service with the phrase, "Welcome, my friend."

Before leaving the country, Kim told reporters, "Ohtani didn't give me any special advice during the contract process. As she was a member of the same agent, she shared exercise facilities. We greeted each other while exercising and talked with each other. I also received support from Ohtani," she said, explaining about the situation when she met Ohtani.

Ohtani said, "I was clumsy but I cheered for Kim in Korean." Kim also said that she practiced so that she could send messages of support in Japanese to Ohtani. "Ohtani said, 'Hello, (Kim) Hyesung' in Korean. I studied hard so that I could respond in Japanese now," Kim said with a smile.

Kim Hye-sung now plays in the same team as well as Ohtani and her agency. Kim, who signed the contract right before the deadline, said she was agonizing every day. "I don't want to go back. I couldn't sleep well. Looking back, it became a good memory now. I was more attracted to her because the team itself was attractive."

The first team that suggested Kim was the Dodgers. "The first team that contacted me after applying for posting was the Dodgers. I am also grateful for that. It is an honor to debut with a team that I have seen on TV. I will prepare to debut as soon as possible," he said.

When choosing a team, the competition was not considered. "Just because I went to a team other than the Dodgers doesn't mean I'm not competing," Kim said. "Even if I go to all different teams, I think I should compete in the first year. Still, after much thought, I made a decision that I want to go to a good team called the Dodgers and establish myself. I have no regrets."

There is another player in the Dodgers who is close to Kim. It is Tommy Edman. Edman played for the Korean national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and kept the infield with Kim. "I played with Edman at the WBC, but we talked a lot because we were both infielders. We kept in touch again this time. We kept in touch with each other."

After moving to the U.S., Kim plans to sweat a lot to join the opening game entry. "My first goal is to enter the opening game entry and debut in the Major League. I haven't thought about my final goal yet. I'll think about it gradually," Kim said.