and geopolitical issues surrounding the Korean peninsula. Ambassador Hill is one of the high-ranking "Red Sox fan" diplomats in the predominantly Red-Sox U.S. Department of State and watched the Red Sox win the World Series while stationed in Seoul. 2005 season Before the 2005 season, the Red Sox sent Kim to the Colorado Rockies, with general manager Theo Epstein calling the two-year deal given to him in 2004 "a mistake." Kim was traded for left-handed pitcher Chris Narveson, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, and catcher Charles Johnson, who was immediately designated for assignment and released. As part of the trade, Colorado sent Boston $2.6 million to equalize the salaries. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle gave Kim the choice of taking a spot in the bullpen (Kim posted 0–3 with 7.84 ERA as a middle reliever for the Rockies that season) or a starter position in the Rockies' Triple-A team Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Just 20 minutes later, Hurdle was told that Rockies starter Shawn Chacón was injured and had to go to the disabled list, opening a spot in the Rockies starting rotation for Kim. On August 8, Sunny Kim, another South Korean starting pitcher who had just joined the Rockies from the Washington Nationals, and Kim started doubleheader games at Coors Field against the Florida Marlins. They became the first two pitchers with same last name to start both ends of doubleheader since Gaylord and Jim Perry for the Cleveland Indians in 1974. The Rockies won both games and Kim collected a win. Kim finished the season 5–9 with a 4.37 ERA as a starter. He filed for free agency on November 1, 2005 and re-signed with the Rockies. He earned $1.25 million in 2006 with a club option worth $2.5 million in 2007 (with a $250,000 buyout). 2006 World Baseball Classic Kim represented Korea in the World Baseball Classic, a tournament held during spring training before the 2006 season. Kim was credited with solid shutout middle relief performances during the tournament in Korea's wins against Taiwan in the first round and Japan and the United States. in the second round. Kim collected a relief-win against Japan in the second round. In the semifinal game against Japan, Kim relieved Jun Byung-doo in the 7th inning and then allowed a two-run home run to Kosuke Fukudome. Kim intentionally hit the next batter Michihiro Ogasawara. Korea lost the semifinal game and