Korean American Anthony Kim started his first round at the Masters shooting a 75. So the next day, he came back with a new focus and approach, and went on to set a new record at the Masters for the most birdies at 11. “It's been a dream of mind to be at the Masters my whole life," said Kim. "There's no reason to pout about a bogey or a three-putt. Enjoy being out here and enjoy all the hard work that was put into it."

Kim snapped Nick Price's record of 10 birdies set in 1986, during a third-round 63 that matched the major-championship scoring record. Kim made four in a row on the front nine to get to 4 under, but then had a bogey on the 9th and a double bogey on 10th. He sank a pair of 15-foot putts on 12 and 13 for birdies, and then hit his approach to 8 inches on 14 for one more. Kim's 12-foot birdie putt gave him 11 on the day.

Kim Yu-na delivered to South Korea something the baseball team couldn't a week earlier, a World Champion while beating her Japanese rival. It's the first ever world champion in figure skating by South Korea, and now, Kim is the front runner for the first gold medal in the upcoming winter Olympics next year in Vancouver. Kim, called "Queen Yu-na" by her adoring fans in Korea, stole the show by shattering the record for points totaling 207.71 points in the two nights of competition.

Kim was so impressive in her short program from the night before that the final day at the Staple Center in Los Angeles was of a more coronation than competition. Kim finished 16 points ahead of Canada's Joannie Rochette and beat her biggest rival from Japan, Mao Asada, by almost 20 points. Asked how she felt after the performance, "Being the world champion was my dream and I did it here," Kim said. "So it's just amazing." Kim's coach, two-time Olympic silver medalist Brian Orser was just as proud. "I'm sure the whole globe shook," said Brian Orser. "The whole country of Korea must be elated."

Before arriving to the game, I parked my car just under dodger stadium off to a hidden side street to save time, headache, and money. I also packed a 6 pack. So I popped the trunk and threw a can to my bro and mom. My mom laughing said she didn't want to partake, "This is embarrassing. Let's just buy beer at the stadium." I replied, "Are you kidding mom if we load up right now we save $60. Remember the economy?" Thus, my mother relented.

So my bro and I start chugging. Mom takes one back too. As we walk down through a field to start the short climb, the boys in blue roll up undercover. Here we are having some fun, heading to the big game when we get caught red-handed. Can you imagine the picture of my mom with her Brooklyn dodgers fitted hat on backwards holding down a Bud Light? But because we're near Koreatown Los Angeles, one of the cops happened to be Korean. For the most part Korean cops in Koreatown are pretty cool; at least my overall experience. The officers gave us a pass.

Luckily, my mom had one more can hidden. We took that to the stadium. Rock and Roll baby! It's her first baseball game and you can see her excitement radiating. My mother's eyes sparkle as we head up the hill inching closer and closer to the gates.

Dodger stadium, 55,000 people; it's the World Baseball Classic Championship and the level of energy is stupendous. I was shocked to see a wide variety of people that was in attendance. There were white, brown, black, old, young, and a whole lot of yellow people. It was nice to see so many locals join in on the fun to watch two Asian rivals go head to head. And yes they were in for a treat, to witness perhaps one of the greatest international rivalries of all time. The fans knew this game meant something. They could sense a heightened level of intensity within the crowd.

Scanning through the stadium I observed most Hispanics cheering the Koreans whereas, most Anglo Americans in attendance rooting for Japan. I think perhaps as an ode to their former rivalry and condolences for some horrific atrocities. Serious indeed. But it's GREAT to see Americans rooting for the Japanese. It's a testimony to forgiveness and moving forward as a shared humanity.

As I saw the rooting Americans cheer on the Japanese I ponder, "If Americans only knew how much this game really meant to us...?"

But I realize that's our fault. We haven't spent enough effort to shine our light.

I believe the people will know in due time. I know for some, the history between our people is a very sore subject. A place some would rather not visit. And I ask myself whether to bury my feelings. But as I see the emotion in my mother, the energy of my people at the stadium, and listening to discussions in the days prior to the game, it matters! The angst, frustrations, sadness, and passions are still very much alive because unlike the Germans, the Japanese government has never offered an official written apology for their wartime atrocities.

But then a larger question dawned on me, "How can we even expect America to understand our culture without knowing our history? Our struggles shaped who we became. Would it not be equivocal to try understanding the Jewish people without being aware of the Holocaust? "

Yes, I told you a lot of emotions. But this is very alive in every play, pitch, and at bat.

Overall, it was a tough fought contest. But from the very beginning the Japanese came out hot. I can't describe it but a feeling took over in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't shake it; I felt maybe the Gods were riding with Nippon tonight like the kamikaze winds that destroyed the fleets of Genghis Kahn.

I said, "Why God why??" My mother turned to me and felt it too, "Oh no, something doesn't feel right. We can lose to anybody but the Japanese!"

Jung Keun Bong had been pitching dominantly against the Japanese in the games leading to the championship. This time around Nippon may have picked up on a few things. Through 4 tumultuous innings Bong never settled in and neither did anyone else. Not to make any excuses, but the team did note Bong feeling unwell prior to his start. But that's life.

Thus the Korean fans stayed on the edge of their seats the entire game, enduring a relentless attack. Japan had 15 hits and 17 base runners.

Our hearts would weigh heavy this night.

Luckily, Korea escapes each time from total catastrophe, by the very grit of our teeth.

But most importantly, the Blue Goblins did not give up. BH Lee's game tying single in the bottom of the ninth sent the stadium into utter madness, shaking the rafters to its bones. A memory and feeling I shall never forget.

And of course like how all great dramas are played out, Ichiro comes to bat in the most crucial moment of the game. Many wonder why Korea pitched to Ichiro. Give credit to Ichiro, he fought off what seemed like an endless amount of pitches. He was locked in.

Korean manager In-Sik Kim explains, "They did not communicate the signals very well. The catcher understood the signs, but the pitcher didn't understand it very well. It was not to try to walk him, but to throw him a ball. If it did not work, then we would walk him. That was the strategy. So the pitcher and catcher did not communicate well. That hurt us in the end."

Even still Manager Kim offers no regrets, "We did our best. Of course, it would have been better if we won, but I do not have a great deal of dissatisfaction."

To add insult to injury, my German American co-worker Jason texts me, "Looks like you shouldn't have talked shit. Ichiro read your article homeboy!"

So be it. If anything, this loss inspired me to uncover more of the history. I realize even as a college grad, I really had no clear understanding of the events that took place. If anything the fervor created by Ichiro and the subsequent loss has inspired me to research my own ignorance.

Nevertheless, besides all these complicated feelings, I am proud of Commissioner's Selig's vision as he remarks, "That was as much intensity as you've seen in a baseball game in a long time. It was incredible. It was really amazing...Through all the years and all the conversations, it all crystallized in these moments."

The WBC final was a very special occasion showcasing Asia's dominance in baseball. Japan's manager Tatsunori Hara agrees, "The fact that the two Asian countries were able to play against each other in the finals is something that we and the Koreans can be proud of."

Finally I leave you with an excerpt from MLB writer Mike Bauman, describing the rise of Eastern perspectives of teamwork and work ethic to the game,

On a More Positive Baseball Note:
The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) announced on its Web site Wednesday that Korea has shot past the United States and Japan into the second spot in the world rankings, trailing only Cuba.

1. Cuba
2. Korea
3. Japan
4. USA
5. Chinese Taipei
6. Netherlands
7. Mexico
8. Canada
9. Australia
10. Puerto Rico

After four years with the William Morris Agency, Michelle Wie decides it's best to split ways and start fresh with IMG. "I'm very excited about this season which represents a fresh new start for me," said Wie in a IMG press release. "There is such great talent and competition on the LPGA Tour and my focus is on building the foundation for a long and successful career, and of course, getting that first tournament win. I believe that IMG, with all of their resources worldwide and achievements in professional golf, will help me reach those goals."

"We have all watched the rise in popularity of women's golf, and Michelle Wie certainly is a prime example of the outstanding talent on the LPGA Tour and the bright future of the sport," said Clarke Jones, Senior Vice President, Global Director Golf Clients for IMG. "Michelle is an amazing talent and IMG is delighted to be working with her and her family to provide the best management and marketing support in the world, allowing her to focus on her top priority – competing week in and week out on the golf course."

Wie, currently a sophomore at Stanford University is one of golf's biggest attractions, ranking fifth on Forbes magazine's 2008 list of highest-paid female athletes, with $12 million worth of agreements with Nike Inc. and Sony Corp. She was the youngest to qualify for a USGA amateur tournament at 10 and youngest to win one at 13. She played the 2004 Sony Open in Hawai'i at 14 and became the first female to shoot in the 60s (she shot 68) at a PGA Tour event, missing the cut by a shot.

She earned full-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour when she tied for seventh at its annual qualifying tournament in December, then finished second in the season-opening SBS Open at Turtle Bay in February. With all of the injuries she gone through in the past years, Wie is still ranked ninth on the LPGA’s money list with $108,332 and likely will next compete in the MasterCard Classic in Mexico.