KBO Announces the Official WBC Roster, Park Jin-man is Ready to Cry

Not baseball related, but another awesome hit from the ESL superstars, the EV Boyz. Part of me wants to take these guys to a game, but I'm a little worried that they'd be they guys sprinting around the bases after the 6th inning.

Either way, the KBO has announced its roster for the WBC. The only real surprise is that Park Jin-man was left off. As recently as today, it was reporter that Park would be on the roster.



It's never a good sign when a shortstop is walking around with a massive ice bag on his shoulder, even if he is in high spirits. This pic was obviously taken before the roster was announced. Park had this to say...

"I was in really bad shape, so I felt heavy-hearted during team practice.''

To be fair, he's played on every incarnation of the Korean national team since 1998. That's over a decade of not having to worry about shortstop. My beloved White Sox should be so lucky.

Pic of the Day

They must be getting restless at the Doosan Bears training camp in Miyazaki, Japan. Here we have Lee Yong-chan playing the "Ppeppero Game" with a lucky female fan. Last year was Lee's first in the KBO(He just turned 20 in January!). In 8 appearances Lee posted a 1.23 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP. He struck out 12 in 14 1/3 innings last year. Even if he plays a big role in the '09 pitching staff, I'll still remember him for trying not to enjoy the "Ppeppero Game" while the girl he was paired with is enjoying it more than she should.

You Guys Are Called What Now???

I've been trying to do some research on everyone's favorite sponsorless team, "The Heroes."

As best I can tell, they're going to continue into '09 without a sponsor. They have a team website now, but they use this logo...



That's right. The Seoul Heroes. Also, while checking out the team's wikipedia page, I found this...

"The Heroes are known throughout Seoul for the largest foreign fan base in the Korean Baseball League. These dozen fans, the majority of whom are English teachers, are feared by rival teams and fans because of their drunk and belligerent behaviour. As a result of their antics they have been nicknamed "The Dirty Dozen". The group caused controversy in March 2007 when one member, nicknamed Stainy, streaked across the field during and tried to tackle the Samseoung Tiger's mascot. Despite their reputation of being drunkards, the group is beloved in Mok-Dong because of their impeccable and extensive baseball knowledge."

Only a few issues with this. 1. I highly doubt the Heroes have a large foreign fanbase. I doubt they have a large fanbase at all. 2. The Woori Heroes were still called the Hyundai Unicorns in 2007. 3. Who are the Samsung Tigers? 3. In March of 2007? Team's are still playing exhibitions in March and the crowds are more sparse than usual. 4. I honestly have no memory of foreign dickbags streaking across the field during a Heroes game. 5. This was probably written by "Stainy."

Post #200 Has Nothing To Do With Korean Baseball

First, I'd just like to thank myself for reaching 200 posts. I'm awesome. Without me, this blog never would have started. Great job me, you earned this.

While on vacation, I've had some time to screw around on the internet. Unlike all those hours and hours slaving in Korea, I've actually found a few minutes to "surf." I've located a hole barrel full of baseball fights in the NPB posted on YouTube.

I'm somewhat of an expert on baseball fights. First, baseball fights always rate highly in unintentional comedy. Second, my beloved White Sox have been in their fair share of tussles. The brawl against Detroit in 2000. Ventura vs. Ryan. A.J. vs. Michael Barrett. The Sean Tracey Incident. The list goes on. Thirdly, no one ever gets hurt. Ever. Sure, sometimes a bullpen catcher or coach gets a bloodly lip, but I've never seen anyone get seriously hurt in one of these. I can honestly say, I've never seen a real dustup in Korea. I've seen a few pushing and shoving matches, but nothing that matches the level of other leagues.

I give you, the NPB of the 80's and early 90's.



This one features the "insane bench player." Every team has one. A guy who's struggling through the season. He can't hit. He doesn't play much. He's terribly frustrated. He's just looking for an excuse to deck someone. The baseball fight gives him a chance.



Here we have the insane manager. First, he argues over, well, not sure what he's arguing. No big deal. He turns the volume up to 11 with a forearm shiver into the chest of the umpire. Now we're getting somewhere. Then, he heads to the mound and snatches the pitchers' glove and ball. With his attempts at pitching rebuffed, he whips the ball at the manager...then the glove. Then he storms off the field. I think he got his point across.



Here we have the "Insane Bench Player's" close relative. The Enraged Foreign Guy. He's stuck in a foreign country that he doesn't like very much. The food is weird. The people aren't very nice. And he's expected to play baseball. He's a timebomb. Bonus points for the other foreign guys trying to "settle him down." "Come on, buddy. We know it sucks. We know."



This is essentially a random montage of foreign dickbaggery from the NPB's 1988 season. Watching foreign guys chase pitchers into centerfield never gets old.



Speaking of chasing the pitcher into centerfield.



We're going to end with the foreign guy going after the umpire. Not really a fight, but you get the sense the ump wanted to launch a preemptive strike against the ballplayer.

Playing Catch Up...

And volleyball. Some Lotte Giants enjoying spring training. I believe that Lee Dae-ho is the gentleman swatting the volleyball.


I've been enjoying the beautiful Chicago winter for the past week and I've been too busy stuffing my fat face with some nice home cooked meals to post.

First on our list, Aaron at the EWC has given a nice writeup to the foreigners coming to Korea for 2009. I'm intruiged to see Jon Adkins come to Korea. As a militant White Sox fan, I never felt big Jon ever got a real opportunity during his years on the south side. I'm also excited for CJ Nitkowski. CJ has a blog! I've added the link here and I only hope he continues to update during the season.

Former Lotte Giants reliever, Choi Hyang-nam has a spring training invite from the St. Louis Cardinals. He also doesn't consider Park Chan-ho a Korean pitcher. I have to admit Park has me fooled.

Samsung Lion's shortstop Park Jin-man is going to miss the WBC and it sounds like he might not be ready for Opening Day.

If the Korean national team makes it out of the Asian part of the WBC, they're going to play a few exhibition games against the Dodgers and Padres in America. I'm surprised the KBO can't get an MLB team to tour Korea. China was able to get the Dodgers and Padres to visit Beijing. Wouldn't a Phillies/Indians exhibition or series sellout any venue in Korea?

Chunichi Dragons outfielder, Lee Byung-gyu certainly sounds optimistic about next year.

Finally, an interesting article from MLB.com about how the Chicago Cubs and scouting in Korea. They seem to think awfully highly of the kids in their farm system. I can't tell if this is just the Cubbie hype machine...cough...Felix Pie...cough... or if these kids actually have what it takes. My guess is the answer lies somewhere in the middle. I am terrified that all 4 of these kids will come up at once and I'll start seeing Cubs hats everywhere in Daegu. Someone tell Kenny Williams to sign Kim Byung-hyun...NOW. Hat tip to the Marmot's Hole.