Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch can’t stay away from the manager’s chair.
For the first time since 1922, MLB players will travel to South Korea for a four-game series against members of the Korea Baseball Organization. The trip takes places from Nov. 9-16, with the four games played Nov. 11-15.
On Monday, Hinch was named MLB’s manager.
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“I’m very excited to lead this group of Major Leaguers in the upcoming Korea Series,” Hinch said in a statement. “South Korea has a rich baseball tradition, and I’m looking forward to seeing our players matchup against some of the top talent from the KBO.
“I’m also honored to play a part in Major League Baseball’s continued focus on expanding our game’s international footprint, and know that our work in South Korea this fall will help spread the message that baseball is for everyone.”
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Six big-league players have been announced for the tour to South Korea: Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals), Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians), Anthony Santander (Baltimore Orioles), Patrick Wisdom (Chicago Cubs), Darin Ruf (New York Mets) and Ha-Seong Kim (San Diego Padres).
The first two games, on Nov. 11-12, will be played at the Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. The final two games, on Nov. 14-15, are scheduled for the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The population of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is more than 9 million.
Hinch has managed nine MLB seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2009-10), Houston Astros (2015-19) and Tigers (2021-22). As a player, he competed for Team USA and won a bronze medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
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