The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres left Seoul with a split of their historic two-game series, the first MLB games played in South Korea, with both managers heaping praise on the venture.
The teams are required to start spring training early and endure two long flights to open their season in Asia and then have more exhibitions to get back into shape for their domestic openers. Still, both managers said it was worth the effort.
"Thank you to Korea and Seoul. It was a good experience," the Padres' Mike Shildt said, adding that his team's staff had to put in a huge amount of work for it to go so seamlessly.
Longtime Netherlands international infielder Xander Bogaerts, who scored three runs and drove in two, said everything about the trip was good and ticked off his history of baseball globe-trotting.
"Korea now, I've played in Japan, Taiwan...a whole lot of places," he said.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "This series is an absolute plus (in the big picture). Both teams get home safely, and you look at bringing Major League Baseball to South Korea. It has been a win for everyone. You can't say enough for the fans, the excitement, and we came away with a split, so it was a win for everyone."
