"Korea's sunset and samgyeopsal were truly the best... I will never forget this in my lifetime." A special confession from the hero of the undefeated 12-game winning streak, a KBO Fall League that captivated hearts beyond just baseball

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Everything I experienced in Korea exceeded my expectations. I think it will be something I never forget."

Cooper Best (24), who led the Long Beach Coast, a combined team from the US independent leagues, to an undefeated championship, looked back on his special time spent in Korea. He was deeply captivated not only by baseball but also by Korean food, nature, and people, citing this visit to Ulsan as an experience he will remember for life.

On the 31st, Best contributed to Long Beach's 6-2 victory over the Ulsan Whales in the final of the 2026 Ulsan-KBO Fall League held at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium with two hits in four at-bats (one home run), two RBIs, and one run scored. Long Beach won its first championship upon its debut, finishing with an undefeated record of 12 games (10 wins, 2 draws) after recording eight wins and two draws in the preliminary round and adding two victories in the semifinals and final.

In particular, Best's two long hits were decisive. Trailing 0-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, he hit a one-RBI triple that struck the center field fence directly to tie the game. When Ulsan took a 2-1 lead again in the top of the seventh inning, Best came up as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the seventh and smashed a tying solo home run over the right field fence. Long Beach then seized control of the game with a go-ahead double by Cuba's Vess (29). Best, who recorded a .300 batting average and 14 home runs this year in the US independent Pioneer League, once again played the role of a clutch performer in the final.

After the game, Best met with reporters and said, "It was truly a fun and intense game. I hope the fans enjoyed watching it," adding with a smile, "Every player and member of the coaching staff did their job well. Because we trusted each other and became one team, we were able to achieve a good result."

However, what impressed him as much as this championship was the time he spent in Korea. Long Beach had obtained a late opportunity to travel to Korea due to the withdrawal of a Mexican team that was originally scheduled to participate. Players from several US independent league clubs, including the Long Beach Coast and Oakland Ballers, came together to form a combined team. They did not even have time to train together until boarding the plane to Korea, but they spent about 20 days in Korea, accumulating unique experiences.

The Ulsan-KBO Fall League, now in its third year, featured a total of 12 teams: eight domestic teams and four overseas teams. It is an international educational league designed to allow players to experience baseball from various countries and gain live-game opportunities. Long Beach was the first US team to participate.

What surprised the American players most was Korean baseball culture. The Long Beach team, invited by KBO, directly watched the third game of the KIA Tigers vs. Samsung Lions playoff series held in Gwangju on the 29th.

Best said, "I knew about the level of the KBO League and how much baseball is respected in Korea even before coming here. So my expectations were quite high," adding, "But when I actually experienced it, it far exceeded those expectations. The food, the people, the baseball, and even the postseason game we watched were all top-notch."

Earlier, teammate Vess had also expressed amazement at the enthusiastic support of Korean fans regarding that playoff game, stating, "It was the best baseball game I have ever watched in person. The stands were packed, and there was not a single quiet moment throughout the game."

The players' experiences in Korea continued beyond the baseball field. The Long Beach players enjoyed various foods such as meat and raw fish in downtown Ulsan, and visited places like Gijang and Gwangalli in Busan to experience the sea and Korean nature. Their visits to large warehouse-style discount stores also became a topic of conversation. The players captured on video scenes of them playing around with large teddy bears on their shoulders or shopping. They also recorded scenes of eating at Korean BBQ restaurants and trying new foods.

The Long Beach club posted these moments on its official SNS account, which has approximately 23,000 followers, introducing life in Ulsan and Korea to US fans. Thus, participating in the educational league also served as an opportunity for exchange to introduce Korean baseball and culture overseas.

Best revealed, "Korea is a country really far from our home in the United States. I had never imagined or dreamed of traveling to Korea before." He continued with a smile, "When I actually came here, the scenery and sunset were truly beautiful. It was enjoyable to look around at the natural environment, including the area around the baseball stadium. Korean-style barbecue (samgyeopsal) was really delicious, and sushi was good too. Eating live octopus was a bit of a surprising experience, but it was fun."

He further expressed his gratitude repeatedly, saying, "Everything I saw and experienced in Korea was truly wonderful. The people of Korea are truly amazing people. We feel grateful and honored that we were able to come here. I think I will remember this for the rest of my life."

For them, this tournament was also a time to confirm the possibility of challenging higher levels. Best stated, "I want to play baseball for as long as possible. It would be great if I could play at a higher level, whether in the KBO League or the US minor leagues. I want to experience what kind of opportunities baseball will give me, no matter which country it is." He added, "While playing baseball, I want to have a positive impact on those around me. It would be even better if I could have a good influence on children who come to the stadium to watch our games."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original