Is Tommy Edman Korean? His decision to play for Korea has garnered significant interest in the U.S. and Korea. His fans are eager to learn more about the player’s nationality and heritage.
Prominent professional baseball shortstop and second baseman Tommy Edman are one of many Cardinals representing another country in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Since making his MLB debut in 2019, Edman has played professionally for a few years. St. Louis Cardinals of MLB selected him in the 2016 MLB draft in the sixth round. Before that, the young athlete was active in the minor league system.
The 28-year-old baseball player received a Gold Glove Award for being the best defensive second baseman in the National League in 2021.
Edman is representing Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Following the news, many people ask why Tommy Edman is playing for Korea. Is the young player Korean?
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Is Tommy Edman Korean?
Tommy Edman is of American nationality. He will represent South Korea in the World Baseball Classic because he has Korean root/heritage from his mother’s side.
Tommy Edman’s mother, Maureen Kwak, was born in Korea. She moved to the United States as a child and settled down there. Moreover, Tommy Edman’s parents welcomed him in Pontiac, Michigan. He grew up in San Diego.
While Edman’s connection to Korea may have taken some by surprise, it has only increased the World Baseball Classic’s appeal on a global scale.
The criteria for baseball participation in the World Baseball Classic are relatively broad. The most obvious requirement is to be a native of the target nation. But there are many additional situations in which a player can represent a nation.
For example, earning citizenship, residing there permanently, or having a parent or grandmother who was born in the country.
The simplest explanation is that players may represent a country if they are eligible for citizenship in that country – they don’t necessarily have to be citizens.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Edman said, “that’s the great part about the World Baseball Classic.” The Michigan-born baseball player added that it allows people worldwide to watch baseball and exposes baseball to many more nations.
Tommy Edman also talked about understanding the rivalry between Japan and South Korea, with whom Korea would share a pool.
In the upcoming matches, Edman will face off against Lars Nootbaar of the Cardinals, who is Japanese on his mother’s side.
Meet Tommy Edman Parents Maureen Kwak And John Edman Jr
Born Thoman Hyunsu Edman, Tommy Edman was born on 9 May 1995 to his parents – John Edman Jr. and Maureen Kwak.
His dad played four years of college baseball at Williams College. John is a varsity baseball coach at La Jolla Country Day School. He also serves as a teacher in the school.
Tommy has two siblings – an elder brother John and a younger sister Elise. His older brother works in research and development for the Minnesota Twins. On the other hand, his sister is a former volleyball player at Davidson College. She used to work for the Cardinals as a Systems Engineer.
Meet Tommy Edman Wife Kristen
The 28-year-old baseball player is married to his wife, Kristen. The adorable pair have been happily together since then.
The married duo originally planned to hold their wedding ceremony on 5 October 2019.
However, they were forced to postpone it due to the Cardinals’ participation in the 2019 National League Division Series.
The couple doesn’t seem to have any kids together.
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