48 wins in 4 years from 2015
Signed with Arizona to debut in MLB in 2019
MLB long run “KBO league experience is a big help”
Meryl Kelly, who played for the SK Wyverns in the KBO League for 4 years from 2015. Kelly made his way into the American Major Leagues (MLB) based on his performances in Korea. He is regarded as the best example of ‘reverse export’ of foreign players in league history. In a written interview with Ilgan Sports, Kelly said, “Four years in Korea has been very helpful.” IS photo
The first foreign player system was introduced in the KBO League in 1998. As the system has been in force for over 20 years, hundreds of players have gone through the league. There are overwhelmingly more failures than successes, but there are players who have achieved the ‘Korean Dream’ through the hole of a needle. Tyrone Woods, the first foreign player ever to win the MVP (Best Player), Dustin Nippert, the only foreign pitcher to conquer 100 wins, and Eric Thames, the first 40 (home run)-40 (stolen) club to open a new era etc. decorated a page in the history of the KBO league.
Meryl Kelly (34, current Arizona Diamondbacks) is also a success story that cannot be left out. Minor leaguer Kelly, who had no MLB experience, signed with the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) in December 2014 and played for four years. His career record is 48 wins, 32 losses, and an ERA of 3.86. With the exception of 2016, when he had nine wins, he has won double-digit wins every year. In the 2018 Korean Series (KS), he set a stepping stone to winning the KS by winning the first round. The club that took notice of his performance was MLB Arizona. Kelly crossed the Pacific in December 2018 with Arizona on a four-year, up to $14.5 million (18.8 billion won) contract. In April of the following year, he achieved his ‘big league debut’ dream and is guarding the Arizona mound for his fourth year.
In a written interview with Ilgan Sports, he said, “(4 years in Korea) was not just helpful. “Through the KBO league experience, I learned about new environments and batters and learned how to apply them.”
Meryl Kelly has been playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks for four years. Kelly is leading the starting lineup as the team’s most wins pitcher with a 3.46 ERA of 7-4 this season. Getty Images
It could have been a reckless choice for him to come to Korea. When signing with SK, Kelly was with the Tampa Bay Rays minor league Triple-A (Durham Bulls). He kept his 2014 Triple-A record with a 9-4, a 2.76 ERA. He was also young in age (26 at the time). A big league call-up could be expected, but he headed to Korea. “I have never regretted that choice,” Kelly said. “If I could go back to that moment, I would make the same decision. I think it was the best decision of my career. love,” he said.
Thames (former NC Dinos) is a representative foreign player who ‘re-exported’ to the United States before Kelly. After playing for three years in NC since 2014, Thames made headlines by signing a three-year contract with the MLB Milwaukee Brewers after the 2016 season. His big league career didn’t last long. Kelly has a long run compared to the Thames. In April, he renewed his contract with Arizona for a total of $18 million (23.3 billion won) for two years. If the club option is exercised, he could wear the Arizona jersey through 2025.
Kelly said, “When I was playing in the KBO, Thames was one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen. It’s a great honor for me to be mentioned with him,” Kelly said. I am trying to become a more stable starting pitcher while continuing to study.” Kelly, who graduated from both high school and college in Arizona, said, “I and my family are incredibly happy (with my contract extension last April). I’m just grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity and trust. Friends I have known since childhood I am happy that my family and I come to the baseball field (Chase Field) to play and support each other every day.”
Kelly picked Lee Seung-yeop and Choi Hyung-woo as the most memorable players in the KBO. “The most memorable moment is, of course, winning the Korean Series,” she said. IS photo
In the KBO League, there are quite a few foreign players who fail to adapt to the league every year. This season alone, Nick Kingham (former Hanwha Eagles) and Ronnie Williams (former KIA Tigers) packed their bags. Kelly said, “(Looking back on the driving force I played for 4 years), adaptation and change were the most important things. Playing baseball may be the same, but if you look inside, the United States and Korea are very different. You have to always have the mind to accept new things.”
Kelly has not forgotten her memories of Korea. He said, “The most memorable player is Lion King Lee Seung-yeop (former Samsung Lions).” He said, “He was a really great player until the last season. I was lucky to see the end of a great legend. Also, I remember Choi Hyung-woo (KIA).” did. He added, “The most memorable moment is, of course, the moment I won the KS. Even looking back on it, it is still an unbelievable and creepy happy memory.”
The SK Wyverns, where Kelly worked, were acquired by SSG last season. Although the name of the club has changed, most of the players are colleagues who played with Kelly. And SSG is challenging for the KS championship by maintaining first place in the regular season this season. Kelly said, “It’s been a few years since I left the team, but of course I’m watching (the game) with interest. Especially this season, I feel good while cheering because I got good results.” Let’s throw it away!'” he said.
Reporter Bae Joong-hyun bjh1025@edaily.co.kr
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