Ex-MLB players with S. Korea ties help launch new campaign for fans
2026.06.01 13:37
Ex-MLB players with S. Korea ties help launch new campaign for fans
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- A trio of former Major League Baseball (MLB) players with ties to South Korea on Monday helped launch a marketing campaign bringing together fans watching big league games in the morning.
"MLB Breakfast Club" is a marketing initiative for South Korean fans who follow MLB action in the early dawn and morning hours -- be it streaming live games or pulling up highlights on phones during their morning commute.
Former players Kim Byung-hyun, Eric Thames and Dustin Nippert were on hand to mark the first offline fan event Monday at the Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant Mukjung, joined by its chef-owner Austin Kang.
With the program, fans can watch MLB games together while feasting on Kang's dishes inspired by baseball, with a chance to interact with former MLB players as well.
Kim began his professional career in MLB and won two World Series rings, one each with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox. He finished his career by pitching his final four seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Kim is now providing color commentary on MLB games on cable here while also running his own restaurant business.
"Because of the time difference, we have to watch MLB games in the morning hours here, and I think it's fun in its own way," Kim said. "With the Breakfast Club, I hope more baseball fans in Korea will take interest in MLB."
Thames and Nippert also took the MLB-to-KBO routes but enjoyed far more success in South Korea.
Thames was voted the 2015 regular-season MVP here while playing for the NC Dinos after launching 47 home runs and swiping 40 bases. He remains the only KBO player with a 40-40 season.
"Obviously, there's a great Korean baseball league here, but we want to get more Korean fans to incorporate MLB baseball into their routine," he said. "For a Sunday morning, watch the game, have your breakfast, have your pancakes and your eggs, enjoy the talent all around the league."
Nippert was the 2016 MVP for the Doosan Bears, when he led the KBO with 22 wins and a 2.95 ERA. The right-hander spent eight seasons in the KBO and won two Korean Series titles with the Bears in 2015 and 2016.
"I know that the KBO fans are really passionate about the games here and also like the Korean players who make it from the KBO to MLB," Nippert said. "Hopefully, this is just another way for them to wake up in the morning. Especially this week, just come out here and enjoy this event with like-minded people and just watch MLB and talk about their teams and the players that they really like. This is a really, really cool event."
Kang, a Korean American born and raised in Los Angeles, presented four dishes bearing names of MLB players. Kang said they also highlight his affinity for Mexican and Korean cuisines.
"Machado's Mash Nachos," named after San Diego Padres star Manny Machado, is a plate of nachos topped with stir-fried kimchi and guacamole, among others. "Trout's Halo Bowl," highlighting the Los Angeles Angels' three-time MVP Mike Trout, is a Chipotle-style bowl of chicken and brown rice.
"Hye's K-Town Galbi Eggs Benedict" combines Korean-style galbi (BBQ ribs) and the American brunch staple of eggs benedict. The name is a nod to the Los Angeles Dodgers' South Korean infielder Kim Hye-seong.
The featured dessert is "Jung-hoo's Giant Bingsoo," the shaved ice dessert made of organic black sugar. It takes the name from the San Francisco Giants' South Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo.
"Growing up in LA, I had a lot of Mexican friends, Korean friends and American friends," Kang said. "Working at my own kitchen here, I was able to incorporate my identity into these dishes."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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