Incredible win

Hi, there, I guess you guys are still overjoyed and not able to
suppress your excitement at the fantastic victory over Japan last
night. I was at the Anaheim stadium with my son, luckily enough
getting the best tickets, third row from our team's dugout.

Right after we parkted, a tons of Koreans already gathered around the
outside of the stadium. I could hear the familiar chanting "dae-han min
kuk", here and there. I found myself is already elated and thrilled,
dying to see the outcome of tonite's game. I soon became the small
"tae kuk gi", rushing to the inside of the dome. It looks like I am
entering the Jam-sil stadium because all the fans are Koreans. As I
dashed into the dome, suddenly, I was startled again to see all inside
of the dome covered with the waves of our national flags, all the
slogans and our people. Because Korea is visitor, I thought Koreans
are gathered mostly at the First base side, facing the Japanese in the
third base. But my guess was totally wrong, it was another Jamsil
Ya-ku-Jang, Koreans are anywhere....wow....

The heat before the game was already at it's peak, adding the density
more and more, sensing the confidence in our team and also the
togetherness of all the Koreans cause we are the only unbeaten team in the
tournament. Later I found around 40,000 fans packed yesterday, more
than 90% is Koreans. As the game's flowing, most of us knew it's gonna
be a pretty tough one, another very neck and neck game because both
teams' pitchers are the best, Chan Ho Park vs Shunsuke Watanabe. As
expected, we saw the electronic boards keep zeros in each innings. I
found young Japanese couple next to me. asking his opinion on who's
the winner, he said he doesn't know. Later they left.... may be to the
third base area I guess.

We enjoyed Chanho's five scoreless wonderful innings. Even though we
had only one hit till 7th inning, Koreans made every noise possible,
clapping the noise maker, waving flags, screaming, chanting names of
players.....Even the tipical coldness at this time of night couldn't
chilled our boiling excitement and yearning for win over Japanese.
You all know and still remember the moment of Jong Beum Lee's two-run
double liner at 8th. Another horrible 8th inning to them, repeating
the 10 days ago nightmare to them. All our joy and energy culminated
at that moment, completing our victory, ending the heated rivalry
between our two countries. An american couple was seated right behind
us, coming down to enjoy the world baseball classics games from
Oakland. They are one of the crazy baseball fans, a season ticket
holder. They showed all their kindness, too much supportive more than
us and praying Korean beat Jap so that America could advance to semi
final. We were kind of floating over the cloud, shedding all our
energy and emotion, it seemed the climax lasted forever....

To our delight, our players took a lap waving our flag, showing their
appreciation to the ardent support from
all the crazy fans, while Japanese players stood
glumly and disappointed in their dugout. Jae Eung Seo ended the
finale, planting our national flag on the pitcher mound. Hoisting
national flag high on US mound gave me the most unforgetable moment, our
little guys finally conquered the world, standing atop, making us
really proud of ourselves....We were hugging each other, exchanging
high-five, it was pure joy and movement.....watching Japanese
packing their stuffs, disappearing behind the curtain and completing
their jaunt at the mound. It was great, confirming again our pride and
ability throughout the world. Our sons are already growing as powerful
Koreans, being another fear factor to the world. I am gald really we
beat Japanese. It was a awesome night indeed. I know it really
was to us all.
2006.3.17