"Respect"... Chan Ho Park Throws Ceremonial First Pitch in Black Suit "to Honor the Daejeon Tragedy"

[The Financial News] Chan Ho Park, known as the "Korean Express," took the mound as the ceremonial first pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles’ home opener, marking the start of the professional baseball season. Instead of wearing a team uniform, he appeared in a black suit, drawing widespread attention.
On March 28, Chan Ho Park visited Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon Metropolitan City, where the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League game between Hanwha and the Kiwoom Heroes was held. Regarded as the first-generation Korean Major Leaguer, Park joined Hanwha in 2012, played for one season, and then retired, creating a lasting connection with the club.
As a legendary figure in Korean professional baseball with close ties to Hanwha, Park’s appearance as the opening-day ceremonial pitcher was met with thunderous cheers. What stood out, however, was that he took the mound in a black suit rather than a team uniform. Typically, ceremonial pitchers wear the home team’s jersey when they throw the first pitch.
That day, Park wore a black suit paired with a black tie. Regarding this choice, the Hanwha club explained, "Chan Ho Park wore a black suit as a gesture of mourning for the recent fire disaster in Daejeon Metropolitan City."
On March 20, a fire broke out at Anjeon Industrial in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon, killing 14 people and injuring 60 others in a major tragedy. Before taking the mound, Park said, "My heart feels heavy because so many people are in such a heartbreaking situation due to the fire," adding, "I came out to throw today’s first pitch with a heart of mourning."
Meanwhile, in that day’s game, Hanwha secured a dramatic 10–9 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 11th inning on a game-ending hit by Kang Baek-ho.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter