Chan Ho Park Starting Pitcher Texas Rangers Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W-L IP H K ERA 36 15-11 234 183 218 3.50

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chan Ho Park can finally pull out the western wear he's been hiding.

Park, the top starting pitcher on the free agent market, signed a $65 million, five-year contract with the Texas Rangers on Saturday, quenching the team's need for an ace and returning him to the state where his professional career got started.

Park left his native South Korea in 1994 and other than two games with the Los Angeles Dodgers he spent the season with the club's Double-A affiliate in San Antonio.

"People wore big hats and big boots, and ate big steaks," Park said. "So, I got the hat, I bought boots and I tried to eat a big steak all the time. Then I went to L.A. and nobody wore a big hat or big boots.

"Now, I'm going to put on my hat and boots, then we're going to bring a ring to the Texas Rangers."

The Rangers don't care what he wears as long as he pitches for Texas the way he did for the Dodgers.

Park, a 28-year-old right-hander, went 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA last season. For several years, he's been among the NL's best in wins, strikeouts, quality starts, hits per nine innings and opponents batting average.

Texas has finished last in the AL West for two straight years. Both times, they had the worst ERA in the majors.

"He's the ace we've been looking for," first baseman Rafael Palmeiro said.

Shortstop Alex Rodriguez wanted Park -- or any legitimate No. 1 starter -- so badly that he restructured his landmark $252 million, 10-year contract.

"They came to me and asked if I had any flexibility, and I said I'm a gymnast if that's what it takes to get pitchers," said Rodriguez, adding that the subject first came up late in the season. He declined to say whether he approached the team or if the team approached him.

	Highest-paid pitchers
	Player	Years	Avg. salary
	x-R. Clemens, NYY	2001-02	$15.45M
	Mike Hampton, Col	2001-08	$15.125M
	Kevin Brown, LA	1999-05	$15M
	Mike Mussina, NYY	2001-06	$14.75M
	Randy Johnson, Ari	1999-02	$13.1M
	Chan Ho Park, Tex	2002-06	$13M
	Pedro Martinez, Bos	1998-03	$12.5M
	Greg Maddux, Atl	1998-02	$11.5M
	Darren Dreifort, LA	2001-05	$11M
	(x-the Yankees value this as a three-year contract averaging $10.3 million)

Rodriguez and Palmeiro attended a stadium news conference to greet their newest teammate. When Palmeiro asked if he speaks Spanish, Park said, "Poquito," meaning a little.

After holding up his new No. 61 jersey and smiling a lot, Park said he's ready to be at the front of a rotation for the first time. He also proudly noted that in his only career start at The Ballpark in Arlington he allowed only one run in seven innings.

"Texas has a great hitting team. I hope I can give them great pitching," Park said. "I'll try my best to be the No. 1 pitcher for the Rangers."

This signing continues a busy few weeks for new general manager John Hart, who delayed a vacation to Florida to finalize this deal.

Other recent moves include acquiring pitchers John Rocker, Dave Burba, Todd Van Poppel and Jay Powell, trading starter Darren Oliver to Boston for outfielder Carl Everett and letting go of former 20-game winner Rick Helling.

"We've been very active this winter, but without this signing today, I think it would be very difficult to dream big dreams," Hart said. "I think we're going to enjoy the best years of a young pitcher's life."

Everett also was among the players whose contract was reworked to sign Park. Hart said Palmeiro and others may do the same if dollars are needed to bring in more players.

Owner Tom Hicks pointed out that a spot in the rotation remains available. Former Ranger Aaron Sele or Helling are possibilities.

"You can be certain we have other things working," Hicks said.

Under the deal negotiated by Scott Boras, who also landed Rodriguez's record deal, Park could opt out after next season and become a free agent once again, although Texas can eliminate that by agreeing before Nov. 10 to make an additional $6 million payment.

Park's contract calls for salaries of $11 million next season, $12 million in 2003, $13 million in 2004, $14 million in 2005 and $15 million in 2006.

Based on the current guaranteed total of the contract, Park has an average salary of $13 million a season, sixth among pitchers behind the Yankees Roger Clemens ($15.45 million), Colorado's Mike Hampton ($15,125,000), the Dodgers' Kevin Brown ($15 million), the Yankees' Mike Mussina ($14.75 million) and Arizona's Randy Johnson ($13.1 million).

Park thanked the former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley for bringing him to the major leagues and was complimentary of the organization and the Dodgers' fans.

"I know they're crying, but now I'm playing for them in this uniform," he said. Los Angeles filled a spot in its rotation by signing a $13.75 million, two-year contract with Hideo Nomo, the NL Rookie of the Year for the Dodgers in 1995.