The Korean Baseball Organization is not pleased with the Orioles - MLB

The Korean Baseball Organization has sent a letter of protest to Major League Baseball complaining about the Baltimore Orioles signing a 17 year-old high school pitcher named Kim Seong-min. They refer to the Orioles as “poaching” amateur talent and, in turn, harming Korean baseball.

This is kind of strange for two reasons.

First: Based on the article this seems to be more of an unwritten rule violation than an actual violation of any U.S-South Korea protocols when it comes to baseball talent. It has happened before. In this instance, however, the KBO is displeased that it was not contacted first.

Second: It’s strange because it has to represent the first time in decades that the Orioles could reasonably be accused of being aggressive in signing young talent of any kind.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will retire the No. 34 jersey of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela during a three-day celebration this summer.

Valenzuela was part of two World Series champion teams, winning the 1981 Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards. He was a six-time All-Star during his 11 seasons in Los Angeles from 1980-90.

He will be honored from Aug. 11-13 when the Dodgers host Colorado.

Valenzuela will join Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale with retired numbers.

“To be a part of the group that includes so many legends is a great honor,” Valenzuela said. “But also for the fans, the support they’ve given me as a player and working for the Dodgers, this is also for them.”