A Return for Lee Byung-gyu???

The Chunichi Dragons won't be bringing outfielder Lee Byung-gyu back for another season. The 35-year old outfielder has struggled with the Dragons during his 3 years in Japan. Given his age and his lack of production(28 homers and .254 average in his 3 seasons), he probably won't be back in Japan. A KBO swan song makes sense for Lee. Lee last appeared in the KBO with the LG Twins in 2006. During his 10 years with LG, Lee posted a .312 batting average with over 1400 hits and 123 homers. His best season came in 1999 when he posted a 30/30 year with a .349 batting average, 99 RBIs and 117 runs scored. LG has a solid outfield, but if they chose not to retain slugger Roberto Petagine, Lee could make sense.

KBO Hands Out Some Hardware

The KBO gave out its two individual awards last night, MVP and Rookie of the Year.



KIA 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon took home the MVP trophy with 79 out of the 90 available votes. Doosan left fielder Kim Hyeon-su got 7, LG outfielder Lee Yong-taek got 3 and SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon got 1. Kim lead the league with 36 homers and 127 RBIs. He came in 5th place overall in OPS with a 1.011. 15 of his homers came during KIA's pennant push in August.



While Doosan Bears closer Lee Yong-chan won the Rookie of the Year award. Lee earned 42 votes while KIA 2nd baseman Ahn Chi-hong got 26. Lee won a runoff vote with Ahn because the KBO requires a clear majority. Lee was tied for the league lead in saves with 26. He posted a 4.20 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 51 innings pitched.

I was a little surprised by Lee winning because I didn't know they considered Lee to still be a rookie. He was with the big club for more than a month last year and it clearly says "2 years with the club" on his player page. That may or may not include time in the lower league. KIA 2nd baseman Ahn Chi-hong and Doosan outfielder Jeong Su-bin both have 0's in the field for years played. Whatever. Good for Lee.

Official TSKB 2009 Year End Awards

No, Kanye. Beyonce is not getting the MVP award. I know her music video was great, but she doesn't play baseball. Welcome to the 2009 TSOKB Awards ceremony. This year Simon is helping me hand out the hardware. Let's get started.

Matt: Thank you for joining me this year, Simon.

Simon: It's a pleasure. Let's get this started.

2009 KBO MVP


M : There's one man whose contribution really jumped out at me this year. KIA 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon lead the league with 36 homers and 127 RBIs. He came in 5th with a 1.011 OPS and was the key kog in the Tigers lineup. Lotte DH Hong Seong-heun(.371/.435/.533) and Doosan left fielder Kim Hyeon-su(.357/.448/.589) should get some votes, but this year's choice is clear. It's Sang-hyeon's award.

S : MVP will have to come from the Tigers. Kim Sang-hyeon is the top hitter, but team stats show the Tigers ended the season dead last in team batting average (0.267), hits (1191), and at bats (4455). While KIA was 3rd in home runs and they did win the Korean Series with a home run (156), but it seems that they did not win the regular season grind with their offense.

On the other hand, KIA was second in team ERA (3.92), first in team wins (81), second in runs allowed (581), and second in earned runs (522). KIA, the best team in the 2009 KBO season, won with defense. So, the most valuable player on this team will have to be a pitcher. Aquilino Lopez lead KIA's pitching staff in wins (14), innings pitched (190.3), strikeouts (83), and ERA (3.12). He did the most to keep KIA's defensive averages down and thus allowed KIA to win both the regular season and the playoffs while KIA's offense comparatively struggled.
Aquilino Lopez: 2009 MVP.

2009 KBO LVP (The Kim Jae-geol Award)


M : I think Lotte SS Park Ki-hyuk gets it this year. In 299 AB's, he posted a .541 OPS. He struck out 61 times and only walked 29. He did manage 7 stolen bases, but he was caught 6 times. He was also prone to the occasional fielding boner.

S : Park Ki-hyuk never did anything to help his team in the many Lotte games I saw this season. You'd only give this award to starters and regular players. Of all the starters and regular players I saw this season, a pylon could have done a better job at shortstop in Busan this year.

2009 KBO 사이영 Award(Pitcher of the Year)

M : The unwritten rules are as follows. 1. Only give it to a Non-Korean if he does something amazing(i.e. Danny Rios winning 22 games while injecting whale placenta into his eyes in 2007). 2. Give it to the best guy under 22 who will be throwing 80 mph in 3 years. 3. Give it to someone who actually deserves it. Injuries to starting pitchers left the field muddled. SK ace Kim Gwang-hyun was well on his way to his 2nd straight MVP award, but a broken hand after a Kim Hyeon-su line drive ended his season in August. I'm giving it to KIA relief pitcher Yoo Dong-hoon. Yoo recorded 22 saves and 10 holds while posting a 0.53 ERA and 0.74 WHIP in 57 appearances. After dominating in middle relief, Yoo won the closer job and Yoon Seok-min was allowed to continue burning out his arm in the rotation. KIA pheeeenom Han Ki-joo is bitterly sipping soju and muttering, "It should've been me...It should've been me." I think KIA's two non-Korean starting pitchers, Aquilino "Senor Smoke" Lopez and Rick "Guts" Guttormson probably get some MVP votes, but the best pitcher of 2009 was clearly Yoo Dong-hoon.


S : This must go to a starting pitcher. I believe relief pitchers come into games and pitch only an inning or two have inherited what the starting pitchers created. They are helpers and assistants rather than the person in control. Ryu Hyun-jin won 13 games for the very weak Hanhwa Eagles team this year. Other top pitchers like Kim Gwang-hyun and Lopez above posted similar win totals pitching for top level teams. Kim Gwang-hyun had a spectacular ERA (2.80) and winning percentage (0.857). But he only pitched 138.3 innings compared to almost 200 innings pitched by the other top pitchers. Plus he pitched for the very defensively strong SK team. A team that put up good defensive numbers without him pitching a lot of innings due to injury. Ryu, again pitching for the hapless Eagles, won 13 games out of the teams total 46 wins. That is 28% of Hanhwa's wins. (In comparison, Kim was responsible for 15% of SK's wins). Ryu's 3.57 ERA doesn't shine, but he pitched for a team that was dead last in many defensive categories. His league leading 188 strikeouts helped Hanhwa become the 2nd in team strikeouts in the league (He was responsible for 21% of team strikeouts). He also finished 2nd in the league in innings pitched (189.3) and 3rd in hits given up (180). Succeeding with the Eagles makes it all the more special and he deserves to be recognized as the best pitcher in the 2009 KBO season.

2009 KBO Cy Yuck


M : I really thought Hanhwa starting pitcher Kim Hyeok-min would earn this one, but I can't give it to him. By the end of the year, I actually felt bad watching poor Kim take the mound. He had the shit kicked out of him all season. By the time August came, it was getting depressing. Anyone else and they would have developed a drinking problem. Kim posted a 7.87 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 116 2/3 innings. He lead the league in losses with 14. You're probably asking, "Matt, that sounds pretty fucking awful. This guy isn't the worst pitcher from 2009?" Well, dear reader, I'll tell you. Look no farther than Bae Yong-su and his 1-12 record. Bae went from awful starting pitcher to bullpen disaster by June. He ended the year with a 7.26 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Not so bad? Well, he gave up 18 homers in 75 2/3 innings. As depressing as Kim was, Bae is even sadder. Bae was once a key kog in the Samsung Championship Machine. During the 2006 pennant race, Bae blew out his arm, missed all of 2007 thanks to surgery and rehab and now he's about a year away from selling insurance.

S : Rick Bauer of the Twins swaggered off the plane with his California coolness and was sent back where he flew in from with his 3 starts, 2 innings pitched, and 78.65 earned run average in Korean baseball (exaggerated.. but if you saw him pitch, you wouldn't think I was exaggerating). I kind of feel sorry for the guy but.. nobody will remember him next year (I don't think nobody remembers him this year).



M : I will never forget the Rick Bauer experience.

2009 KBO Rookie of the Year


M : This was a promising field that burned out early and limped to the finish. I think KIA Tigers 2nd baseman Ahn Chi-hong probably wins the award, but I can't give it to him. He played a competent 2nd base, but he only hit .230 for most of the season and struck out a TON. I'm going with Doosan Bears spark plug Jeong Su-bin. Jeong was a bundle of energy wrapped in a Bears uni. He was a solid late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner for most of the season. When starting center fielder Lee Jong-wook missed time due to injury, Jeong stepped in and did a solid job. His .264/.340/.390 slash line isn't impressive, but he scored 47 runs and stole 13 bases in 231 AB's. Somehow, he also hit 3 homers.

S : I wasn't really that impressed with any of the rookies. I'm leaving this blank on my ballot.

2009 Korean Series, Game 7

KIA 6, SK 5
W - Yoo Dong-hoon, L - Chae Byeong-yong
KIA wins the series, 4-3

KIA won their 10th KBO championship thanks to a walk-off, solo home run from DH Na Ji-hwan. With the score tied at 5 and one out in the 9th inning, SK pitcher Chae Byeong-yong left a fastball in on Na's hands and Na put it over the left field wall for a walk off winner. The blast was Na's second home run of the game. He finished 2-4 with a walk, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. He also pocketed the series MVP award.

This game was an absolute battle. The Wyverns jumped out to an early lead thanks to a homer from 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon. The Wyverns actually held a 5-1 lead in the 6th before KIA mounted a comeback. Series MVP made it 5-3 with a 2-run homer in the 6th. KIA rookie 2nd baseman Ahn Chi-hong drew the Tigers closer with a solo homer in the 7th. KIA also tied the score in the 7th on a base hit from outfielder Kim Won-seob with the bases loaded. Neither team really threatened until Na's dramatic blast in the 9th.



Chae took the walk off as well as could be expected. I can't believe they made the Wyverns stay on the field for the celebration.

This was the first time the Korean Series went to 7 games since 2004. The team formerly known as the Hyundai Unicorns defeated the Samsung Lions, but needed 9 games to finish the series. 2 of the games ended in ties. This championship was KIA center fielder Lee Jong-beom's 4th of his career. The 39-year old won his first championship as a rookie in 1993. He was the MVP of the '93 series. He was also a key member of the '96 and '97 championship teams.

2009 Korean Series, Game 6

SK 3, KIA 2
W - Song Eun-beom, L - Yoon Seok-min, S - Chae Byeong-yong
The series is tied, 3-3

I don't think we can blame the loss on Yoon Seok-min making his 2nd start after 6 weeks of inactivity and going on short rest. I think he was the same pitcher he was in game 2. He just got beat. Yoon never appeared to labor or struggle. SK finally took a more patient approach and it paid off. The Wyverns did a better job of taking Yoon deep into counts and wearing him out than they did in game 2. Yoon tossed 5 innings(89 pitches, 62 strikes) and gave up all 3 SK runs. He was tagged for 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. I was really hoping to see Yoon dominate again. Injured SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon used the 2007 playoffs to cement his status as the elite pitcher in the KBO. If Yoon could have used the 2009 playoffs in a similar fashion, it would have made for a great story.

Song Eun-beom looked much sharper in his 2nd start back from his "shoulder soreness." Song threw 5 innings(62 pitches, 42 strikes) of shutout baseball. He gave up only 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. He was lifted after the 5th because his shoulder tightened up on him. Coaches went out to the mound, but Song made it through the inning.

SK gave the start at DH to Lee Ho-joon and he took advantage of the opportunity. Lee broke a scoreless tie in the 2nd inning with a solo homer and finished the game 2-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. SK also pushed across runs in the 3rd and 4th innings 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon hit an RBI sac fly in the third inning and outfielder Cho Dong-hwa hit and RBI single in the 4th.

KIA finally got on the scoreboard in the 8th inning. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, KIA 1st baseman took an 0-2 pitch from SK reliever Goh Hyo-joon back up the middle for a 2 RBI single. SK called on Chae Byeong-yong to end the threat. He quickly recorded the final out of the 8th and got the final 3 outs in the 9th to earn the save.

Game 7 is scheduled for 2 PM Seoul time on Saturday. I'm assuming we'll get a game 3 rematch of SK's Gary Glover and KIA's Rick Guttormson, but Game 7 will likely be an "All Hands On Deck" scenario for both clubs.

2009 Korean Series, Game 5

KIA 3, SK 0
W - Aquilino Lopez, L - Ken Kadokura
KIA leads the series, 3-2



Aquilino put the Tigers on his shoulders last night. He did get a little help from the SK offense. I saw at least a dozen swings at pitches at or above batters' necks. Lopez threw a complete game, 4-hit shutout. 72 of his 106 pitches went for strikes. Lopez walked 2 and hit 1 batter while striking out 6. There was also one legit "chill" moment last night. At the end of the game, every single one of Lopez' teammates stopped to shake his hand. At the end of the line was the KIA pitching coach. The pitching coach gave Lopez a big handshake/hug. It was obvious that Lopez really appreciated being appreciated by his teammates.

SK veteran Ken Kadokura pitched well enough. Kadokura tossed 5 1/3 innings(82 pitches, 54 strikes) and was charged with 2 runs. Kadokura gave up 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.

KIA broke a scoreless tie in the 3rd inning thanks to an awkwardly executed suicide squeeze. With runners on the corners and one out, center fielder Lee Yong-gyu got a bunt down the third base line. The runner from 3rd left the base while the pitch was being thrown. SK had no play at the home, but they were able to nail Lee at first. The play was awkward because the pitch from Kadokura was way inside. Lee had to practically throw the bat at it to get it down.

KIA picked up a few more insurance runs in the 6th inning, but the rally wasn't without controversy. Lee Yong-gyu lead off the inning with a single to left. Lee was moved over to 2nd on a sac bunt from DH Na Ji-won(only in Asia does the DH bunt). Kadokura was replaced by lefty reliever Jeong Woo-ram. The next batter, 1st baseman Choi Hee-seop, poked a single through the right side for a base hit. Lee was able to score and gave KIA a 2-0 lead.

After Lee scored, things got a little strange. Jeong was replaced by righty Yoon Kil-hyeon. Yoon gave up a base hit to KIA 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon. With runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, KIA catcher Kim Sang-hoon hit a broken bat grounder to 2nd. 2nd baseman Jeong Geun-woo threw to 2nd to force Kim Sang-hyeon. SK shortstop Na Ju-hwan was forced wide of the bag by Kim Sang-hyeon's slide. Na threw the ball almost directly into the ground. The ball bounced well wide of the 1st baseman and Choi was able to score while Kim Sang-hoon raced to 2nd. This call brought SK manager Kim Seong-geun out of the dugout.



I believe Kim was arguing that Kim Sang-hyeon interfered with the shortstop and the runners should go back to 1st and 3rd. Either way, Manager Kim went way overboard. First, he got into it with the umpires. To his credit, the crew chief gave as good as he got. When Kim started to lose it, the ump gave as good as he got. After the umpire refused to give the baby his bottle, Kim ordered his team off the field and made everyone wait for a few minutes while the umpires pleaded with him to let the game continue. It was one of the most childish and least sportsmanlike acts I have ever seen in the KBO. I really think that the success of winning back-to-back titles has gone to Kim's head. His arrogance will be his undoing. Eventually, Kim allowed his players to return to the field and continue the game. The next out was quickly recorded and the inning ended.

The series continues Friday night at 6 PM in Seoul. This will be a rematch of the starters from game 2. Song Eun-beom will try to avoid elimination, while Yoon Seok-min will try to help the Tigers win the series.

2009 Korean Series, Game 4

SK 4, KIA 3
W - Chae Byeong-yong, L - Yang Hyeon-jong, S - Yoon Kil-hyeon
The series is tied, 2-2



SK's Chae Byeong-yong looked like a competent starting pitcher. A very fat competent starting pitcher, but a competent starting pitcher nonetheless. Chae tossed 5 2/3 innings(88 pitches, 56 strikes) of 1-run baseball. He allowed only 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. The only run KIA was able to get off of Chae was a solo homer by shortstop Lee Hyeon-gon in the 6th inning.



KIA starter Yang Hyeon-jong did enough to win, but didn't get the support he needed from the KIA offense. Yang threw 5 2/3 innings(88 pitches, 56 strikes, not a typo) and gave up 3 runs. Yang surrendered 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. SK broke a scoreless tie in the 2nd inning with a 2-run blast by right fielder Park Jae-hong. SK extended it's lead to 3-0 in the 5th inning on an RBI double from shortstop Na Ju-hwan.

SK added another insurance run in the bottom of the 8th inning. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, right fielder Cho Dong-hwa stepped to the plate. Cho was 0-1 after coming in as a substitute for Park Jae-hong. Cho hit a high bouncer back up the middle. Once the ball went over the pitchers' head, it was in no man's land. Everyone was safe and SK pushed across another run.



It turns out, SK would need all the insurance runs that they had scored. The SK bullpen suffered a 9th inning meltdown. Normally solid reliever Lee Seung-ho started the inning for the Wyverns. KIA pinch hitter Cha Il-mok lead off the inning with a basehit to left. Cha was lifted for pinch runner Kim Jong-kuk. The next batter, 1st baseman Choi Hee-seop, laced a single into right to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon struck out swinging and right fielder Lee Jong-beom fouled out to right for two give SK 2 quick outs. Lee Seung-ho was lifted for Yoon Kil-hyeon. Yoon allowed KIA DH Na Ji-wan to hit a seeing-eye single back up the middle. Na's base hit made the score 4-2 with tying run sitting on first base. The next batter, pinch hitter Lee Jae-joo drew a walk to load the bases. KIA catcher Kim Sang-hoon hit a sharp grounder to SK shortstop Na Ju-hwan. Na couldn't field the grounder cleanly and Kim was able to beat the throw to 1st. Na's error cut the SK lead to 4-3. KIA shortstop Lee Hyeon-gon hit another sharp grounder to Na Ju-hwan, but this time he was able to pick it cleanly and lob the ball over to first for the final out.

The series continues on Thursday at 6 PM at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium. The game will be a rematch of the game 1 starters. Aquilino Lopez will get the ball for KIA and Ken Kadokura will take the hill for SK.

2009 Korean Series, Game 3

SK 11, KIA 6
W - Lee Seung-ho, L - Rick Guttormson
KIA leads the series 2-1



It appears that the 2 1/2 week layoff hurt KIA starter Rick Guttormson more than it helped him. Rick looked rusty and uncomfortable on the mound last night and it was even more evident in the results he produced. Guttormson was battered for 4 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk during his 2+ innings of work. This was easily Rick's shortest outing of the season. SK starter Gary Glover looked more like the guy that dominated in August than the guy who has struggled in October. Glover threw 4 2/3 innings(83 pitches, 51 strikes) before he was removed. Glover gave up 4 walks and 1 hit batsman. He left the game with a no-hitter still intact, but the pitches were starting to pile up and Korean managers are frustratingly skittish when it comes to pitchers in the playoffs.

The SK offense jumped out to an early 4-0 lead against Guttormson and they never looked back. 11-6 makes the final sound close, but KIA was never really in this game. KIA didn't record a hit until the 6th inning and they didn't score a run until the 7th. KIA reliever Seo Jae-wong had a meltdown in the 5th inning that put the game out of reach. He could barely find the plate, let alone record an out. After loading the bases on 2 singles and a walk, Seo drilled the next two batters in the elbow. The 2nd plunking got the pitching coach out to the mound to ask for the ball. KIA reliever Han Ki-joo was asked to stop the bleeding. He did his best to get out of the jam, but SK held an 8-0 lead at the end of the inning.

Seo also had issues in the 4th inning. SK 2nd baseman Jeong Geun-woo hit a line drive back to the mound that deflected off of Seo's glove. Seo tossed the ball over to 1st to record the out. Seo and Jeong exchanged words. Seo appeared to be the instigator, but it's hard to tell if Jeong said something while running to first. Both benches cleared and a fan lobbed a full beer onto the field. It was pretty tame by Korean Series standards.

SK 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon continued to produce during the playoffs. Park finished the game 4-5 with a homer, 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. SK left fielder Park Jae-sang ended the game 2-3 with 2 walks, a double and 3 runs scored. KIA 3rd baseman/MVP candidate Kim Sang-hyeon had a solid game in a blowout. With SK winning 8-1 in the 8th inning, Kim hit a 3-run homer to close the gap to 8-4. Kim finished 2-4 with a walk, 4 RBIs and 1 run scored.

The series continues tonight at 6 PM Incheon time. Chae"Tons of Fun" Byeong-yong will rumble to the bump for SK. If Chae makes it out of the 3rd inning, I'll be impressed. The word "endurance" isn't exactly in the portly pitcher's vocabulary. If he makes it out of the 3rd, this game will go over 4 hours. Chae isn't known for working quickly. He takes an eternity between pitches. Chae will be opposed by Yang Hyeon-jong. Yang finished the season 12-5 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Yang struck out 139 and walked 60 in 148 2/3 innings.

200 Korean Series, Game Two

KIA 2, SK 1
W - Yoon Seok-min, L - Song Eun-beom, S - Yoo Dong-hoon
KIA leads the series 2-0



KIA starter Yoon Seok-min came back from his shoulder injury and pitched like an ace. Yoon tossed 7 scoreless innings(110 pitches, 70 strikes). He gave up only 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. I really can't believe they let him go as long as he did and that he was effective for as long as he was. This is a guy that hasn't faced a KBO hitter in 6 weeks. SK starter Song Eun-beom wasn't terrible, but his conditioning wasn't nearly on the same level of Yoon. Song gave up 1 run during his 4 1/3 innings(59 pitches, 36 strikes) of work. He allowed only 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4.



KIA broke a scoreless tie in the 4th inning on an RBI double from 1st baseman Choi Hee-seop. Choi extended the KIA lead to 2-0 in the 6th inning. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, Choi singled to center. SK didn't get on the board until the top of the 9th inning. SK catcher Jeong Sang-ho hit a solo homer to deep center off of KIA closer Yoo Dong-hoon. Yoo was able to recover and record the final outs for the save.

The series continues in Incheon on Monday at 6 PM local time. The KBO hasn't played on a Monday since late April. Starters haven't been named yet, but I'll guess that it will be a battle of the white guys. Gary Glover will probably get the nod for SK and Rick Guttormson will most likely take the ball for KIA.

2009 Korean Series, Game 1

KIA 5, SK 3
W - Aquilino Lopez, L - Goh Hyo-joon, S - Yoo Dong-hoon
KIA has a 1-0 series lead

This was possibly the most enjoyable game that the 2009 KBO post season has offered so far. The game had a flow to it. The early innings flew by and the late innings were a chess match. A one-sided chess match, but a chess match nonetheless.



KIA starter Aquilino Lopez did what he has done all season. He did a good job of getting out of jams, he kept his team in the game and he ate up a lot of innings. KIA has been able to keep the pressure off of their bullpen with starters like Lopez and Guttormson working late into games. Lopez tossed 8 innings(122 pitches, 75 strikes) of 3-run baseball. He gave up only 6 hits, 2 walks and 1 hit batsman while striking out 7.

SK starter Ken Kadokura was solid. He seemed to find that extra playoff gear that veteran's seem to summon in October. It's how a mediocre starter can gut his way through a tough October start. Kadokura threw 5 innings(73 pitches, 44 strikes) of 1-run ball. If he hadn't pitched a few days ago, he probably would have gone a bit longer. Kadokura allowed only 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 7.

SK drew first blood in the 3rd inning. SK shortstop Na Ju-hwan scored on a seeing-eye single off the bat of right fielder Park Jae-hong. SK added a 2nd run in the 4th inning thanks to back-to-back doubles from 2nd baseman Jeong Geun-woo and 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon. Park just missed a homerun. His double bounced in front of the center field wall and Jeong was able to score easily.

KIA got on the board in the bottom of the 4th. With runners on the corners and 1 out, KIA 3rd baseman/MVP candidate Kim Sang-hyeon hit a TOWERING flyball to right to get KIA their first run of the game. The Tigers would take a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning after right fielder Lee Jong-beom hit a double to left/center with 2 outs and the bases loaded.



SK catcher Jeong Sang-ho hit a solo home run in the 7th to tie the game at 3. This was actually a fairly impressive homer because the catcher took a foul tip off of his thigh and looked like he would have to exit the game. Jeong chose to gut his way through the pain and slugged SK to a 3-3 tie.

In the bottom of the 8th with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out, Lee Jong-beom stepped to the plate with a chance to give his team the lead. Lee drilled a 2-1 fastball into right field for a base hit. The go-ahead run scored from 3rd and Lee started fist pumping. KIA tacked on another run on a single from catcher Kim Sang-hoon to make the score 5-3. KIA closer Yoo Dong-hoon has been Mr. Automatic since he earned the closer's role in May. He threw a perfect 9th inning to end the game and give KIA a 1-0 series lead.

The series moves to Incheon tomorrow at 2 PM Korean time. The KBO has chosen to go with a really goofy schedule. It goes 1 game in Gwangju, 1 game in Incheon, then 2 in Seoul, 1 more in Gwangju, 1 more in Incheon and if needed, game 7 will be played in Seoul. I understand that Gwangju has a crappy stadium, but is this really necessary? Anyone else think the KBO would use this as leverage in getting local support for new facilities?

It's a battle of injured lefties as KIA is sending phenom Yoon Seok-min to the mound and SK is countering with Song Eun-beom. Yoon started the season as KIA's closer, but a need for a starter pushed him into the rotation. Yoon finished the year 9-4 with 7 saves. He recorded a 3.46 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out 117 and walked 52 in 119 2/3 innings of work. Yoon hasn't pitched since September 9th. He was shut down with a "sore shoulder." Song Eun-beom finished the year 12-3 in 31 appearances. He was shut down on September 22nd with, oddly enough, a "sore shoulder." Song recorded a 3.13 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. He struck out 103 and walked 54 in 149 1/3 innings of work. Song started the season 10-0, but has struggled to a 2-3 record over his last 15 appearances.

KBO Playoffs Round 2, Game 5

SK 14, Doosan 3
W - Lee Seung-ho, L - Juan Cedeno
SK wins the series 3-2

SK just owns Doosan come playoff time. This is the 3rd straight year the Wyverns have bounced the Bears out of the playoffs and this one had to be the most difficult to take. Doosan won the first two games in Incheon. All they had to do was win one of the next two at home and they would exorcise all the ghosts of KBO Playoffs past. They dropped both games in Seoul, had to wait an extra day to play the rubber match in Incheon and then got completely annihilated.



SK hit 5 homers while routing the Bears. Right fielder Park Jae-hong lead of the game with a solo blast. 3rd baseman Choi Jeong added a 2-run bomb in the first inning that made the score 3-0. 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon added a solo homer that capped a 4-run rally in the 3rd inning. Jeong-kwon went 3-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. The two Parks and Choi had nice games, but SK left fielder Park Jae-sang led the charge with a 2-homerun game. Jae-sang finished 2-5 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Doosan starter Juan Cedeno wasn't very good, but I don't think he deserved the loss. He only faced 4 batters and recorded 1 out before exiting the game. I wonder if he even changed out of his uniform before he got on the plane out of Korea. I pictured him walking off the mound and going right into a taxi to the airport. After Juan, it was all-hands-on-deck for the Doosan pitching staff and almost everyone gave up runs.

For some reason, SK chose to burn out its bullpen with a healthy lead. I understand that they wanted to play match ups and keep Doosan from getting back into the game, but come on. They've got another series starting tomorrow. There's no reason to use 6 pitchers in a 14-3 ballgame. SK "starter" Chae Byeong-yong allowed exactly 2 base runners during his 2 2/3 scoreless innings(41 pitches, 25 strikes) of work. He gave up 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 3.


It wasn't all bad for Doosan. Hey, left fielder/superstar Kim Hyeon-su had a big game. 3-4 with a homer, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored in an 11-run loss. He was better during the '09 playoffs than he was last year. He wasn't bouncing into double plays every other at bat this year. There has to be a batter word for "unclutch." "Arodic" doesn't quite cut it any more.



This game did get a little chippy towards the end. In the 7th inning, SK shortstop Na Ju-hwan was drilled by a pitch from Ji Seung-min. Na chose to retaliate by spiking Doosan catcher Yong Deok-han. He nailed him flush on the calf with his foot during a play at the plate. He was out by a few feet, but made no effort NOT to spike Yong. The intent was clear. Yong was able to make it off the field, but lobbed a ball in frustration. Na just got up without saying a word and walked back into the dugout. It was one of the most cold-blooded scenes I have ever seen in the KBO. Some trash was lobbed onto the field, but the spiking ended whatever in-game shenanigans were going on.



The Korean Series starts on 10/16 at 6 PM Gwangju time. SK will send Ken Kadokura on 3 days rest against KIA's Aquilino Lopez. Lopez finished the regular season 14-5 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Lopez lead the league in innings pitched with 190. He struck out 129 and walked 51.

Rain, Rain Go Away...

The rains came almost immediately after Doosan left fielder Kim Hyeon-su hit a solo homerun to give Doosan a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning. The rain didn't let up and the two teams are forced to try to finish the series again tonight at 6 PM local time. Rain was in the forecast this morning, so I'm curious to see what kind of shape the mound and infield are in. I would hate for this game to be decided by the field and not the players on it.

Doosan will send foreign hurler Juan Cedeno to the mound, while SK will turn to the Portly Pitcher, Mr. Chae Byeong-yong.

KBO Playoffs Round 2, Games 3 and 4

Game 3
SK, 3, Doosan 1 (10)
W - Goh Hyo-joon, L - Goh Chang-seong

Game 4
SK 8, Doosan 3
W - Lee Seung-ho, L - Lim Tae-hoon

The series is tied 2-2.

Saturday's game 3 was one of the most boring close games I have ever seen. This game took over 4 hours to complete. For a game with exactly 4 runs and 13 hits, that's inexcusable. Every at bat felt like a 10-pitch epic and 11 pitchers were used.

SK broke through in the first inning against starting pitcher Hong Sang-sam. SK 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon delivered an RBI single to right. Then, nothing happened until the bottom of the 6th. Doosan tied the game when SK pitcher Yoon Gil-hoon walked Doosan DH Choi Joon-seok with the bases loaded. Yoon managed to escape the jam with the score still tied. With the score still tied in the top of the 9th, SK put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. SK catcher Jeong Sang-ho hit a sharp line drive to right center. Doosan center fielder, Lee Jong-wook, made a fantastic diving catch and followed it with a strike to 2nd base that doubled off the runner and ended the threat. It was simply one of the most clutch plays I've ever seen. If there were an MVP for the 2nd round, Lee would surely be it. He's looked like the best player on the field for the entire series.

SK would threaten again in the 10th. With a runner on 2nd and one out, SK left fielder Park Jae-sang hit a line drive to right. Doosan right fielder Jeong Su-bin whiffed on the catch and watched the ball roll all the way to the warning track. The run scored easily and Park made it to 3rd on what should have been a fairly routine fly ball. It was one of the least clutch plays I've ever seen. Or the "Anti-Lee." Park would score on a flyball from pinch hitter Kim Yeon-hoon. The bottom of the 10th was fairly uneventful.

I think Sunday's game went even longer than Saturday's and they only played 9 innings. SK broke out to an early lead thanks to a wild pitch from Doosan starter Kim Sun-woo that scored SK DH Kim Jae-hyeon from 3rd in the 1st inning. SK tacked on two more runs in the 2nd inning on and RBI singles from 3rd baseman Choi Jeong and 2nd baseman Jeong Geun-woo. Doosan struck back in the bottom of the 3rd with a homer from 2nd baseman/hero Goh Yeong-min. This time he hit a 3-run "Goh-mer" to tie the game.

The two teams traded base runners until the top of the 7th inning. Various relievers pitched in and out of jams. It was all quite dizzying. In the 7th, SK 2nd baseman Jeong Geun-woo reached on an error by Doosan shortstop Son Si-heon. This...was an omen of things to come. SK left fielder Park Jae-sang ripped a single to left to put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. The next batter, 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon, hit a towering fly ball to left. Doosan left fielder Kim Hyeon-su reached the wall and leapt for the ball. It landed about 10 inches under his glove. On the replay, it appeared that the ball was touched by the outstretched arms of a fan. The fan didn't interfere with Kim, but he probably should have kept his hands back. Both runners scored on the play and this opened the floodgates for a 4-run rally. SK even tacked on an "eff-you" run in the 8th inning. Park Jeong-kwon, center fielder Kim Kang-min and 3rd baseman Choi Jeong all drove in 3 runs for the Wyverns.

This series will end, one way or another, on Tuesday night. The winner moves on, the loser goes home. Ken Kadokura will get the start for SK and Geum Min-cheol will get the nod for the Bears.

KBO Playoffs Round 2, Game 2

Doosan 4, SK 1
W - Lim Tae-hoon, L - Jeong Woo-ram, S - Goh Chang-seong
Doosan holds a 2-0 series lead



If someone told me before the game that Juan Cedeno would only walk one batter, I would have assumed he left in the first inning with an injury. Juan took advantage of an over-anxious SK team and threw pretty well. The Wyverns gave him a lot of help. They were swinging at everything. Everyone wants to be a hero. Cedeno tossed 5 innings(75 pitches, 50 strikes) of scoreless baseball. That can't be right. Cedeno allowed only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6. Where was this guy during the previous 5 months? SK starter Ken Kadokura was solid and deserved better than an ND. Kadokura threw 6 1/3 innings(88 pitches, 55 strikes) of 1-run ball. Kadokura allowed only 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 hit batsman while striking out 7.



Doosan was able to manufacture a run in the first inning thanks to an infield single from Doosan center fielder Lee Jong-wook, an errant throw on a stolen base and an RBI ground out.



The Wyverns would tie the game on a solo homer from 1st baseman Park Jeong-kwon in the 7th inning. Doosan quickly untied the game in the top of the 9th on an RBI double from Lee Jong-wook. Lee would score on a 2-run homer hit by 2nd baseman/post season hero Goh Yeong-min. From now on, if Goh hits a homer, I'm referring to it as a "Goh-mer," and Goh's new nickname is the Goh-minator. I feel strongly about both of these developments.

SK made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th. SK put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Doosan took the ball from closer Lee Yong-chan and gave it to Goh Chang-seong. Goh calmly recorded the final 2 outs on only 7 pitches. Ho-hum. 2-0 series lead.

The next game is at 2 PM local time on Saturday afternoon. The series shifts from Incheon to Seoul's Jamsil Stadium. The starters haven't been announced. I'm not sure who SK will go with, but I have a feeling Doosan will choose rookie Hong Sang-sam.