'LA Superstar' Son Heung-min Throws First Pitch at Dodgers Home Game... Fans Cheer "Sonny"

Local Korean fans wear 'SON' jerseys to support... "Going to see the LAFC game this weekend"

No official event with eagerly awaited Ohtani... Applauded Ohtani's 'two-way' performance during game viewing

Son Heung-min throws first pitch at Dodgers home game on the 27th (local time) [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

Son Heung-min (33, Los Angeles FC), currently playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), delivered a powerful first pitch at the home game of the Dodgers, considered the strongest team in Major League Baseball (MLB), on the 27th (local time).

Son Heung-min, who is playing brilliantly after transferring to LAFC, was invited by the Dodgers, who share the same city, to throw the first pitch at the Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds game held at Dodger Stadium on this day.

Son Heung-min throws first pitch at Dodgers home game on the 27th (local time) [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

At the first pitch event held before the game's start around 5:30 PM, the stadium announcer introduced Son Heung-min's career, including his time in the English Premier League (EPL), and then called out, "Welcome to LA. Sonny!"

Son Heung-min then took the mound and threw the ball with power in a form that rivaled that of a professional baseball player.

Blake Snell, the Dodgers' pitcher wearing number 7, caught Son Heung-min's pitch, and the two embraced and exchanged greetings after the pitch.

The crowd applauded, and Korean fans repeatedly chanted "Sonny!" with cheers.

After finishing his first pitch, Son Heung-min descended from the mound, waving his hands high with a broad smile to greet the fans.

Son Heung-min waves goodbye with both hands after throwing first pitch at Dodgers home game on the 27th (local time) [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

Afterward, Son Heung-min stood at home plate, holding a microphone given by the club, and after waiting for all the starting players to be introduced, he announced the start of the game by exclaiming, "It's time for Dodger baseball."

Son Heung-min waves goodbye with both hands after throwing first pitch at Dodgers home game on the 27th (local time) [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

Prior to the first pitch, Son Heung-min met and exchanged jerseys with Freddie Freeman, one of the Dodgers' star players, on the field.

Later, the Dodgers' starting pitcher and star player Shohei Ohtani (31) and other starting players came onto the field. Son Heung-min then moved to the stands, sat in a VIP seat, and continued to watch the game.

Every time Ohtani struck out a batter or got an out on a ground ball, he raised both hands and clapped enthusiastically. He also applauded to encourage Ohtani when his fly ball was caught.

The official meeting between Son Heung-min and Ohtani on this day had also drawn attention, but as Ohtani was the starting pitcher and needed to 'concentrate,' there were no instances of them officially meeting, exchanging greetings, or conversing, which have not yet been captured.

Ohtani gave up a solo home run in the 3rd inning, allowing one run first. However, in the 4th inning, he got on base with a hit, creating an opportunity for the Dodgers to score multiple runs and take the lead.

Son Heung-min exchanges jerseys with Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

About an hour before the game began, around 4:20 PM, Son Heung-min appeared on the field wearing jeans with a Dodgers jersey tucked in, drawing the attention of fans.

Korean fans, wearing jerseys with '7, SON' of LAFC, loudly called out Son Heung-min's name. Son Heung-min turned around and waved back at the fans.

While Son Heung-min was on the field, requests for autographs on baseballs poured in, and club officials also asked to take photos with him.

On this day, the Dodgers club meticulously controlled access for Korean media, busy protecting the 'superstar' Son Heung-min.

The club informed the media that interviews with Son Heung-min were not possible, and Son Heung-min himself walked past the Korean press waiting for him on the field.

Shohei Ohtani pitches during a Dodgers home game on the 27th [AP=Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

Son Heung-min, who scored his first goal in his third MLS regular season match against Dallas on the 24th, will make his first appearance at the home game at LA's BMO Stadium on the 31st.

The Korean community in LA has been buzzing since early this month when Son Heung-min's transfer to LAFC was announced.

LAFC detailed the immense promotional impact Son Heung-min has brought in an article titled 'Son's Impact' posted on its website on the 25th. Ticket demand for home games has soared to record levels, with even newly created standing room sections selling out, and LAFC's social media followers have more than doubled, according to the club.

Tommy Kim (52), a Korean resident who attended the Dodgers game to see Son Heung-min's first pitch, was wearing a custom-made special jersey shirt with the LAFC emblem, Son Heung-min's number 7, and 'SON' embroidered on a Dodgers jersey.

Kim, who has lived in LA for 30 years, said about Son Heung-min's transfer to LAFC, "As someone living in LA, it's a truly welcome development." He added, "Isn't he a world star? He's a player who has achieved something truly remarkable."

He continued, "I've attended many Dodgers baseball games, but honestly, I had never been to a soccer game before. Now, because of Son Heung-min, I will be going," and "I am going to watch (the LAFC game) this weekend (Sunday) as well." Yonhap News