Wednesday, January 6, 2010

01/06/10 Off Season Headlines

Random rundown..

Samsung manager Son Dong-yul's Goal: Korea Series Championship

Speaking from Samsung Lions' practice facility in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongbuk province January 5, team manager Son Dong-yul declared that not only will his team right the wrongs of missing the KBO playoffs for the first time in 13 years and all the injuries his team had in the '09 season, the Samsung Lions will indeed take the Korea Series 2010 championship.

Korean link: http://news.naver.com/sports/index.nhn?category=baseball&ctg=news&mod=read&office_id=109&article_id=0002074675

Jang Won-sam's Going to Win 15 Games


New Samsung Lion's pitcher Jang Won-sam spoke with reporters January 5 at Samsung Lion's practice facility Gyeongsan, North Gyeongbuk. It was his first day in a Samsung uniform after spending last season with the Heroes. In a fun-filled press conference, Jang said he was going to win 15 games in '10.

Korean link: http://news.naver.com/sports/index.nhn?category=baseball&ctg=news&mod=read&office_id=076&article_id=0002017556

Lee Jae-su: Don't Want to Quit


On the Kia Tigers championship team last year, KBO vet and former Kia DH is without a home and wanting a home for the next season. Released by the Tigers 4 days after they won the Series, Lee declared on January 6: "I don't want to quit, if nobody wants me, I'll be a coach or something."

Korean link: http://news.naver.com/sports/index.nhn?category=baseball&ctg=news&mod=read&office_id=038&article_id=0002047049

LG's Got a New Import Closer: Shinya Okamoto


Indeed they do. Shinya Okamoto spent 9 seasons in Japan compiling a very respectable 32W, 19L, 3.21 ERA as a relief pitcher. He is 36 years old and signs on with the Twins with a $250,000 US contract.

Korean link: http://news.naver.com/sports/index.nhn?category=baseball&ctg=news&mod=read&office_id=003&article_id=0003026595

Simon

3 comments:

AT said...

LG seems to be going all in this year. Although, it's not like they gave anything up in their trade with the Heroes. But maybe moneywise.
For that matter, Samsung is too. Should be an interesting year...but just six teams playing for four playoff spots. Hanwha and the Heroes are already out.

Anonymous said...

Matt,

Couple questions,

1. Where are the team's locations, I know their names but have hard time determine their home city.

2. What team is the most popular after Kia Tigers.

3. What team had been the most successful the last ten years.

Thanks!

Rodney from Pilsen said...

Dear Anonymous,

1. I'll direct you to the KBO's wikipedia page for the locations of various teams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Baseball_Organization

2. Personally, I don't think KIA is really all that popular. Lotte, Doosan and Samsung are the more popular teams in Korea.

3. The most successful team of the past ten years? Hmmm. Tough call. If we're going by the most championships, then the Hyundai Unicorns(now Heroes) won 3 in 2000, 2003 and 2004. Samsung won 2 in 2005 and 2006. SK also managed a repeat in 2007 and 2008, but lost n a tough 7 game series against KIA last season. I personally believe that the '08 SK team was the best team in Asia. The '09 team was close, but they had too many injuries.