Major League Baseball’s San Diego spring camp in Peoria, Arizona, USA. Former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis (42), familiar to Korean baseball fans, appeared. Since 2019, Ellis has been serving as a special assistant for the San Diego club’s baseball operations.

Ellis was the host of the Dodgers in 2013 when Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto) entered the major leagues, and worked with Ryu Hyun-jin at the Dodgers until he was traded to Philadelphia in the fall of 2016.

After recently meeting with Star News, Ellis said, “I still remember the memories of spring camp in 2013, when I first received Ryu Hyun-jin’s ball.” There was a lot of media and club officials, but Ryu Hyun-jin threw his ball leisurely without moving at all.”

He continued, “Looking back, I have received balls from many pitchers during my career, but I think Ryu Hyun-jin was the best.” . He is a pitcher with excellent physical condition as well as a really good head. That’s why he has been able to survive and pitch in the major leagues so far,” he praised.

Born in Missouri, USA, Ellis was selected by the Dodgers in the 18th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft and turned pro. He made his big league debut in 2008, but spent more time in the minor leagues after that.

However, Ellis, who endured for a long time and did not give up, took over the home of the Dodgers in 2012 and became a starter. Ellis, who took off his uniform at the end of San Diego in 2018, participated in 672 major league games in 11 seasons, posting a batting average of 0.239, 44 homers and 229 RBIs.

When asked if he would take on the same role this year in San Diego, Ellis said, “Yes, this year is just like any other year. Sometimes in the front office, sometimes on the field, talking to the players and helping them, I’m doing a lot of things that help the team.” .

He continued, “I took off my uniform after the 2018 season. It has already been five years since I retired this year. Time really flies.” I am so happy and happy to see this growth. It is a blessing itself,” he said with a smile. Elise has three children, including the youngest born in 2013.먹튀검증

Many baseball fans wonder why Ellis chose San Diego as his retirement destination rather than the Dodgers, where he spent most of his career. Regarding this, he said, “I spent the last year of my career in San Diego. When I experienced it myself, unlike what I saw from the outside, the goals and values ​​that this team pursues matched my thoughts a lot. Also, when I retired, San Diego was the first, “In addition, the staff members, players, and fans that I learned while playing in San Diego, as well as the ties and comfort with them, helped me choose San Diego when I was looking for a career after retirement.” Explained.

When asked if he had any plans to return to the field as a leader, Ellis said, “The children are young now, so I want to spend more time with them while watching them grow. “I want to return to the field as a leader when the children grow up and need less help from their parents than now,” he said.