'Number 7' Son Heungmin Takes Dodgers Mound, Beams After Throwing a Strike

After Throwing a Strike, Son Heungmin Receives Applause from the Crowd
Demonstrates His Prowess with a Goal in Just His Third Match Since Joining

Son Heungmin took the mound for the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball (MLB) game, invited by the Los Angeles Dodgers. On August 28 (Korean time), Son Heungmin threw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the 2025 Major League game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. After completing his ten-year stint with Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heungmin made a surprise move to Major League Soccer (MLS) club LA FC. The transfer of this global football star set Los Angeles abuzz. Professional sports teams based in LA sent congratulatory messages, and the Dodgers invited Son Heungmin to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a Dodgers uniform with the number 7 and a Dodgers cap, Son Heungmin took the mound.

Son Heungmin, who took the mound at Dodger Stadium, is throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Blake Snell, a pitcher who has won the Cy Young Award twice, took the position of catcher to receive Son Heungmin's ceremonial first pitch. Having practiced pitching in his spare time, Son Heungmin delivered a strike, earning applause from the crowd. He removed his cap, smiled broadly, and waved to the audience, then posed for commemorative photos with Snell after sharing a hug. Son Heungmin also received a baseball signed by Snell.

Earlier this month, Son Heungmin left Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League (EPL), where he had played for ten years, and transferred to LAFC of Major League Soccer (MLS). Since LAFC and the Dodgers are both based in Los Angeles, there was much anticipation about when Son Heungmin would throw the ceremonial first pitch. Kim Hyeseong, who plays for the Dodgers, and Korean-American player Tommy Edman personally congratulated Son Heungmin on his move to LAFC. On August 26, V, a member of the world-renowned idol group BTS, also threw a ceremonial first pitch from the same mound.

Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, took the position of catcher to receive the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Son Heungmin. Having practiced pitching in his spare time, Son Heungmin threw a strike, earning applause from the audience. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Son Heungmin scored his debut goal in MLS on August 24, proving why the team recruited him by making an impact in just his third match. Having played a series of away games since joining, Son Heungmin is finally set to play his first home match. LAFC will host San Diego FC at their home stadium, BMO Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, at 11:45 a.m. on September 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.