The behind-the-scenes story of Doosan Bears signing free agent Park Chan-ho was revealed. Ultimately, Doosan's sincerity and devotion moved Park Chan-ho's heart.
Doosan Bears officially announced on the morning of the 18th, "We have signed free agent (FA) infielder Park Chan-ho (30) to a four-year deal worth up to 8 billion won (signing bonus 5 billion · total base salary 2.8 billion · incentives 200 million)." Of the 8 billion won contract, an astonishing 7.8 billion won is guaranteed, an unprecedented deal.
After Kim Jae-ho's retirement, Doosan struggled to find a starting shortstop. With the start of the 2025 season, while planning for future talent, the club concluded that shortstop Park Chan-ho was absolutely necessary. The club reached a consensus internally and officially reported this to club owner Park Jeong-won, and after the owner's approval they launched the process to acquire the top FA.
Doosan made contact with Park Chan-ho's camp on the opening day of the FA market on the 9th. To convey the club's sincerity, they arranged a meeting around midnight. They arrived at the meeting carrying six uniforms engraved with "Park Chan-ho V7." A Doosan official said, "We prepared uniforms in advance to give to Park Chan-ho's parents, his wife and his child. We gifted four adult-sized and two child-sized uniforms. We added V7 next to Park Chan-ho's name and number," sharing the behind-the-scenes story.
Park Chan-ho received love calls from multiple clubs, including his original team the KIA Tigers, Doosan and the KT Wiz. With the recruitment effectively narrowed to a two-way race between Doosan and KT, Park Chan-ho's final choice was Doosan. Doosan's devotion, which began with preparing the uniforms and included multiple meetings with Park Chan-ho's camp, appears to have had a major influence on the player's decision.
Park Chan-ho attended Jangchung High School and achieved his dream of turning professional when he was selected by KIA in the 2014 rookie draft, second-phase, round 5, 50th overall. After fulfilling his military service while active, he began to make a name for himself in earnest from 2019, capturing the stolen base title that year and signaling the start of his prime. Following stolen base titles in 2022, winning the shortstop defensive award in 2023, and a career year in 2024 with 134 games, a .307 batting average, 158 hits, 5 home runs, 61 RBIs and 86 runs, he won his first-ever Golden Glove as a shortstop along with the Korean Series championship, an All-Star selection and the shortstop defensive award all at once.
In his career in the first team, Park Chan-ho has played 1,088 games with a .266 batting average, 951 hits, 23 home runs, 353 RBIs, 514 runs, 187 stolen bases, a .332 slugging percentage and a .328 on-base percentage.
After becoming a Doosan man, Park Chan-ho said, "I grew up dreaming while watching Doosan Bears baseball as a child. I am honored and overwhelmed to wear that team's uniform. I thank Doosan Bears club owner Park Jeong-won for giving me a good contract."
He added, "My baseball motto since childhood has been 'hustle.' I think the way I have played will fit with Doosan Bears' symbol 'Hustle Do.' I ask for a lot of support and love."
Finally, Park Chan-ho said, "I thank the KIA Tigers, who cheered for me for 12 years, and the fans in Gwangju. I will not forget that love going forward."
[OSEN]