KBO clubs lose key players to injuries over opening weekend

Only two games into the 2023 season, South Korean baseball clubs have already lost key players to injuries, setting them up for a tough early stretch. The Kia Tigers, already down some players, lost third baseman Kim Do-yeong for up to four months with a broken pinky toe in his left foot. Kim suffered the injury while rounding third during the Tigers' second game of the Korea Baseball Organization season against the SSG Landers on Sunday. The second-year speedster had collected four hits in

April 4, 2023

New speed-up rules, modified schedule among changes in KBO in 2023

The elimination of late-season two-game sets and amended pace-of-play rules are among notable changes in the South Korean baseball league this year. The Korea Baseball Organization has decided to scrap two-game series starting this year, ending a practice that began in 2015. In the early portions of seasons, teams had been playing a pair of three-game series per week, with Monday being the designated off day. Then in later months, they had been playing a trio of two-game series each week. This e

March 30, 2023

Amid off-field incidents, new KBO season to feature repeat title bid, managerial duels

They say in baseball that hope springs eternal for every team this time of year, just before the beginning of a new season. Everyone starts with a 0-0 record, and there's cause for optimism for all. Some off-field issues, however, have threatened to dampen the excitement in the buildup to the new Korea Baseball Organization season, which starts Saturday for all 10 clubs across the nation. The league had hoped to use the World Baseball Classic earlier this month as a launching pad of sorts,

March 30, 2023

KBO club GM offers to quit after allegedly asking player for money during negotiations

Jang Jung-suk, general manager of the South Korean baseball club Kia Tigers, offered to resign Wednesday after allegations surfaced that he'd asked a free agent for a kickback during contract talks. Former Tigers catcher Park Dong-won has accused Jang of demanding cash in exchange for a favorable deal during their negotiations during the last offseason. Park ended up signing a four-year deal with another Korea Baseball Organization club, the LG Twins. In response to Park's accusations,

March 29, 2023

S. Korean players faced with uncertainty in new MLB season

South Korean players in Major League Baseball will enter the 2023 season faced with varying degrees of uncertainty. One will switch positions, another may switch teams, and a third will try to establish himself in the big show. The fourth, and the most seasoned of them all, will try to come back in the summer from last year's surgery The new major league season will begin Thursday afternoon across the United States, or early Friday in South Korea. Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres will e

March 29, 2023

Stuck in middle ground, S. Korean baseball faces painful transition

TOKYO -- The third time wasn't quite the charm for South Korea at this year's World Baseball Classic. South Korea crashed out of the first round at each of the past two WBCs in 2013 and 2017. The third crack at reaching the second round this year was supposed to be different. On paper, South Korea seemed to have just the right balance of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance. Over the course of four games in a five-day span in Tokyo, it turned out South Korea just had old players who w

March 14, 2023

S. Korea makes lineup changes for must-win game vs. Czech Republic

TOKYO -- With his team's back against the wall at the ongoing World Baseball Classic, South Korean manager Lee Kang-chul decided to make several lineup changes Sunday. South Korea will take on the Czech Republic at noon Sunday at Tokyo Dome in Pool B. Lee's team must win this game to stay alive in its quest to reach the quarterfinals. Having dropped the first two games by a combined 21-11, Lee will drop Tommy Edman from the leadoff spot to the No. 9 hole. Edman has batted 1-for-8 in

March 12, 2023

Despite 2 straight losses, S. Korea still alive, barely

Tokyo -- Having dropped its first two games of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), South Korea no longer controls its own destiny. In order to reach the quarterfinals as one of the top two teams in Pool B, South Korea must win its two remaining games and pray for help from other countries. South Korea lost to Australia 8-7 on Thursday and then to Japan 13-4 on Friday. It will next play the Czech Republic at noon Sunday and close out the first round against China at 7 p.m. Monday. All games are at

March 11, 2023

S. Korea protests display of imperial flag in stands

TOKYO -- The South Korean national team lodged a complaint with the organizers of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) after a Japanese fan brought his country's imperial-era flag to a game between South Korea and Japan here Friday. The Rising Sun Flag was seen in the upper deck in the left field at Tokyo Dome prior to the Pool B game between the rival nations. Koreans regard the flag as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, because it was hoisted during Japan's invasion of Asian count

March 10, 2023

S. Korea turns to seasoned veteran in do-or-die game vs. Japan

TOKYO -- South Korean pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun has pitched in some huge games for the country at earlier international competitions, but it won't get much bigger than the must-win affair against Japan at the World Baseball Classic Friday evening. Kim was announced as South Korea's starter in the aftermath of the team's stunning, 8-7 loss to Australia in Pool B action Thursday afternoon at Tokyo Dome. There are five teams in Pool B, with China and the Czech Republic being the others,

March 10, 2023

Hot-hitting backup draws DH assignment vs. Australian lefty in 1st game

TOKYO -- After wielding a hot bat in exhibitions and scrimmages, South Korean backup outfielder Park Kun-woo will be the designated hitter in the team's opening game of the World Baseball Classic against Australia on Thursday. Park will bat sixth for South Korea against left-handed starter Jack O'Loughlin. The first pitch is set for 12:08 p.m. at Tokyo Dome. Park was seen as a backup to right fielder Na Sung-bum, and he is the only right-handed batting outfielder on the 30-man squad. P

March 9, 2023

[Graphic News] South Korea squad for 2023 World Baseball Classic

　The World Baseball Classic has officially begun on Wednesday and ends March 21. 　South Korea will compete in Pool B and the first game at WBC is against Australia on Thursday at Tokyo Dome. South Korea will then take on Japan on Friday, the Czech Republic on March 12 and China on March 13. 　South Korea finished third at the inaugural WBC in 2006 and was the runner-up to Japan at the 2009 edition. However, it crashed out of the first round in each of the next two tournaments, in 2013 and 201

March 9, 2023

Veteran slugger 'confident against anybody' at WBC

TUCSON -- When his South Korean team faces Australia to start the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo next week, third baseman Choi Jeong may see a familiar face on the mound -- someone whose bid at history Choi foiled nearly three years ago. On May 5, 2020, Australian right-hander Warwick Saupold, then pitching for the Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization, was working on a perfect game against Choi's SK Wyverns. Saupold was seven outs away from becoming the first KBO pitcher to tos

Feb. 28, 2023

S. Korea's final WBC tuneup in Arizona wiped out by rain

TUCSON -- South Korea's last training camp game in Arizona for the World Baseball Classic was canceled by rain Sunday, costing the team a precious opportunity to test itself ahead of the big tournament. South Korea was set to face the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson at noon Sunday, but early morning rain rendered the ground unplayable. The national team is due back in Seoul early Wednesday and the canceled scrimmage will not be

Feb. 27, 2023

S. Korea wins 3rd straight scrimmage in WBC training camp

TUCSON -- South Korea won its third straight scrimmage in its World Baseball Classic training camp in Tuscon, Arizona, on Thursday, with key batters staying in midseason form and pitchers putting on solid performances on the mound. Cleanup Kang Baek-ho belted a two-run homer for his second long ball in camp, as South Korea beat the KT Wiz of the Korea Baseball Organization 8-2 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. Leadoff Lee Jung-hoo went 2-for-3, while slugger Park Byung-ho chipped in a solo shot

Feb. 24, 2023

S. Korean pre-WBC scrimmage canceled by severe winds

TUCSON -- South Korea's third scrimmage ahead of the World Baseball Classic was canceled Wednesday due to severe winds in Arizona. The national team was set to face the KT Wiz of the Korea Baseball Organization at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson. However, on the heels of a rainy day, the wind was blowing at a maximum 31 kph at 11 a.m., two hours before the scheduled first pitch. Per forecast, the wind was expected to hit the area at 27 kph, and officials from both sides decided to

Feb. 23, 2023

Big leaguers Kim, Edman to join S. Korea earlier than expected for WBC

PEORIA-- The only two major leaguers for South Korea at the World Baseball Classic, Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres and Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals, will join the national team earlier than expected next month. The two players are in spring training with their respective clubs, while the rest of the national team are gearing up for the WBC in Tucson, Arizona. The South Korean team is scheduled to travel back home on March 1 and train in Seoul for a couple of days before flying

Feb. 22, 2023

WBC-bound slugger, reliever trying to put bad Olympic memories behind

TUCSON -- As international performances go, South Korea had a dismal showing at the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament in 2021, finishing fourth in a six-nation tournament despite being seen as a strong medal contender. Two Korea Baseball Organization players in particular, first baseman Kang Baek-ho and reliever Go Woo-suk had a tournament they'd rather forget. Some two years later, they are trying to put those memories behind as they gear up for the World Baseball Classic, whose opening r

Feb. 21, 2023

S. Korea defeats KBO club Tigers in WBC tuneup

TUCSON-- South Korean bats stayed hot and young pitchers put in a solid day's work, as the national team enjoyed its second straight scrimmage victory Sunday in the buildup to next month's World Baseball Classic. South Korea pounded out 19 hits to defeat the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization 12-6 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Nine pitchers worked an inning apiece in this informal game, where pitchers were allowed to meet their pitch count target, r

Feb. 20, 2023

MLB hopeful Lee Jung-hoo trying to block out distractions in WBC buildup

TUCSON -- South Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo has had many watchful eyes of major league scouts following his moves this week, as he is gearing up for next month's World Baseball Classic with an opportunity to move to Major League Baseball next year on the horizon. The reigning MVP in the Korea Baseball Organization said Saturday here that he has been trying to stay focused, with some helpful tips offered by his uber-agent, Scott Boras. "I've been told that major league clubs hav

Feb. 19, 2023