"Being called a dark horse hurts my pride"... 8 billion won FA Park Chan-ho's confidence: "Doosan is clearly a top-tier team" [On-site Interview]

Incheon – Reporter Jeon Sang-il.Park Chan-ho of the Doosan Bears, the "8 billion won man" who opened this year’s Free Agent (FA) market, has wrapped up his first spring camp since joining the club on a high note and is brimming with confidence for the new season. In an exhibition game against the Samsung Lions on the 15th, he even launched a three-run homer off pitcher Kim Tae-hun, showcasing his excellent hitting form and reinforcing his belief that Doosan will soar this year.
Met at Incheon International Airport at 10 p.m. on the 8th upon his return from spring camp, Park Chan-ho flashed his trademark cheerful smile when asked about his first camp with his new team, saying, "I just did what I always do and had a lot of fun."
He added that his personal preparation for the season has gone very smoothly so far and expressed strong satisfaction with his physical condition.
Above all, what stands out is his firm belief in the strength of his new club, the Doosan Bears.

When told that many experts are picking Doosan as a dark horse this season, Park replied firmly, "To be honest, being called a dark horse hurts my pride."
He continued, "Doosan isn’t a dark horse. I can confidently say we’re clearly a top-tier team," and stressed, "As long as we can minimize injuries, we’re a clear powerhouse." His comments showed how highly he rates the inherent strength of the Doosan Bears.
The reason Doosan invested a total of 8 billion won over four years in Park Chan-ho is clear. With his elite-level defense at shortstop, the club expects him to anchor a young infield that includes Ahn Jae-seok, Oh Myung-jin, and Park Jun-soon.
In fact, even during the offseason, Park drew attention by paying out of his own pocket to lead younger teammates from both the Doosan Bears and his former club, the Kia Tigers, in a mini-camp in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. He has said that the money the club invested in him also covers the role of looking after younger players off the field, revealing a strong sense of responsibility.


His assessment of the young Doosan infielders he worked with directly in camp was also positive. "Seeing them from the outside and seeing them up close are completely different," he began, before adding, "These younger guys play much better baseball than I did in my early years in the league." He did not hold back his praise.
But as a veteran, he also offered some pointed advice. "They really work hard and take baseball very seriously, but if there’s a weakness, it’s that they’re all a bit too nice," he noted.
His message was that in a world of competition, they need to develop a slightly tougher edge. It was affectionate but candid criticism, reflecting his hope that the younger players will more fully embrace the club’s trademark "Hustle Doo" mentality.
Off the field, he still comes across as a warm and playful senior. Speaking about his close junior Kim Do-yeong, who starred at the recent World Baseball Classic (WBC) but blamed himself for the loss to Chinese Taipei, Park said he deliberately avoided heavy baseball talk. Instead, he sent him ridiculous photos with the message, "You did everything you could, so shake it off," showing the composure and consideration of a seasoned veteran.

He also joked about Kia Tigers junior Park Jung-woo, who joined that mini-camp, saying, "He keeps talking nonsense, so I’m slowly distancing myself from him," showing that he maintains relaxed, easygoing communication with younger players from his former team as well.
Throughout the interview, Park Chan-ho exuded composure and confidence. Asked about his personal goal for this season, he answered without a moment’s hesitation: "A championship." As a fully transformed "Doosan man" and national-team-caliber shortstop, attention is now focused on whether Park can lead the Doosan Bears to the very top of the league at the Jamsil ballpark.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter