Kim Byung-hyun, the man called the 'nuclear submarine', shed tears at Chase Field, an Arizona baseball stadium full of joys and sorrows. Lee Chan-won also cried at Kim Byeong-hyun's tears.
In KBS2's 'The Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears' broadcast on the 19th, Kim Byung-hyun, who visited the United States as an MLB ambassador, and Lee Chan-won, who accompanied him, were depicted.
On this day's broadcast, Kim Byung-hyun participated in the Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Festival. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were able to meet fans in person through the fan festival held for the first time in four years. Chan-won Lee said, "I've dreamed of an MLB stadium for 20 years, ever since I was 7 years old. It's Chase Field, where CEO Kim Byung-hyun played, so I can't believe how long I've dreamed of it."
Kim Byung-hyun and Lee Chan-won traveled in a luxury limousine prepared by the club. Chan-won Lee said, “This is my first time riding a car like this.” Kim Byeong-hyun recalled, "Originally, when you sign a big contract, MLB sends you a car. When you go to sign a player contract with your parents, they send you a city tour. I remember sending a limousine when I signed the contract."
Chan-won Lee arrived at Chase Field and took a photo with Byung-hyun Kim in front of the 2001 World Series championship trophy. Every time Kim Byung-hyun moved, he was flooded with requests for photos from fans. Lee Chan-won, who saw this, said, “This time I realized that he was a truly great player.” Then, they found a photo of Kim Byung-hyun hanging at the baseball stadium and cheered.
Kim Byung-hyun visited the bullpen, locker room, and weight room with Lee Chan-won. Then I went to the laundry room. This laundry room was where Byung-Hyun Kim slept. Kim Byeong-hyun confessed, "My parents don't know. My mom would cry if she found out. Of course I don't know." He asked, "If the washing machine is running, he doesn't come in. If the washing machine isn't running, he quietly comes in and sleeps. If there's laundry like this, he sits on the floor and sleeps, covering it with the laundry. Would you believe me if I told you that I slept here?"
Lee Chan-won replied, “I can’t believe it.” Kim Byung-hyun explained, "A major leaguer makes good money and has a house, so does it make sense for him to sleep here? It was a really comfortable place for me." He said, "At that time, I bought a house a little far from the baseball field. I had a house in a nice place with a swimming pool, but I didn't want to turn on the lights when I went in. When I went in, there was no one around and there was nothing special. I didn't like being alone. At the baseball stadium, there were fun people around me and I loved playing baseball. “I had a place to do things, something to eat, and friends,” he said.
Byung-Hyun Kim walked around Chase Field and reminisced about the past. He said, "Honestly, I feel strange. It's good, but also heartbreaking. It's a bit like that." He added, “The sunlight at the baseball stadium, the ground, and the announcer’s voice made me feel like I had traveled back in time.” Kim Byung-hyun also said, "Honestly, I feel strange right now. There's a bit of a strange feeling in talking about this. When I was young, I was in my prime, but it was a time that passed without me even knowing it was my prime."
Kim Byeong-hyun turned around and sobbed, saying, “Looking back, I feel so sorry for the time.” Lee Chan-won said, “I suddenly feel moved too.” Kim Byung-hyun cried for a long time. Kim Byung-hyun confessed, “The place where all the joys and sorrows are contained is the Arizona baseball field. After my injury, my balance was lost and I became an ordinary player.”
In addition, Byung-Hyun Kim said, "When I was young, I wanted to be recognized by people by quickly playing good baseball at the baseball stadium. I lost a lot of my good form. I also dream of playing baseball a lot. In my dreams, I am playing baseball again. When I wake up from my dream, I dream of playing baseball. “It’s reality. That’s why I think they opened a hamburger restaurant at the baseball stadium because they didn’t want to be separated from baseball.”
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr