Ex-MLB pitcher says criticism against Ryu Hyun-jin unfair

A former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher on the South Korean national team said Friday some of the criticism against Ryu Hyun-jin, a new pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is unfair.Taking a break from the national team's training camp for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) here in Taiwan, Seo Jae-weong addressed flak Ryu has taken over his smoking habits.Ryu huffed and puffed his way at the back of the crowd during the first conditioning run at the Dodgers' training camp in Arizona earlier

SportsFeb. 15, 2013

Dodgers pitcher Ryu pleased with 1st bullpen session

GLENDALE, Arizona (Yonhap News) ― South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers said here Thursday he was pleased with his first bullpen session for his new Major League Baseball club.Ryu, who signed a six-year, $36 million contract last December, has joined the Dodgers’ spring training at Camelback Ranch here in Arizona this week. After two days of running and light tossing, Ryu threw in the bullpen for the first time Thursday, as he competes for a spot in the Dodgers’ starting r

BaseballFeb. 15, 2013

Williams on verge of becoming oldest No. 1

DOHA (AP) ― Serena Williams is one win away from becoming the oldest top-ranked women’s player after sweeping aside Urszula Radwanska 6-0, 6-3 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.If the 31-year-old Williams reaches the semifinals by beating seventh-seeded Petra Kvitova she will return to No. 1 for the first time in 2 1/2 years. Chris Evert held the top ranking in 1985 while just shy of her 31st birthday. “It’s awesome,” Williams said. “Since I didn’t do the youngest, I figure I

More SportsFeb. 15, 2013

Uribe leads...at Australian Women’s Open

CANBERRA (AP) ― Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe shot a six-under 67 on Friday to overtake South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai and overnight leader Lydia Ko, taking the second-round lead at the LPGA Tour-opening Women’s Australian Open. Uribe opened with a birdie after teeing off on the par-4 10th and made four more at Royal Canberra, including at the sixth and seventh as she moved to 15-under 131 and a one-stroke lead. Two-time major-winner Shin fired eight birdies against two bogies for 67, sharing second with

GolfFeb. 15, 2013

LeBron’s streak ends, Heat pound Thunder 110-100

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ― LeBron James had 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Miami Heat trampled the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-100 in a Thursday night showcase before the All-Star break. Chris Bosh chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat won their sixth straight against the Thunder dating to last year’s NBA Finals. Miami swept the season series after winning on its home court on Christmas Day, following up after taking the last four games of the Finals. James was in position

More SportsFeb. 15, 2013

Rinne makes 19 saves, Predators blank Coyotes 3-0

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) ― Pekka Rinne made 19 saves for his second consecutive shutout, leading the Nashville Predators to a 3-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night. Gabriel Bourque, Nick Spaling and Mike Fisher had the Nashville goals. Rinne has shutouts in three of his past four starts and has not allowed a goal in his last 137 minutes, 41 seconds of action. He has been strong this season on a Predators team that has struggled to score. Bourque scored the game’s first goal at

More SportsFeb. 15, 2013

Footballer Park Jong-woo finally gets his Olympic bronze

South Korean football player Park Jong-woo received his Olympic bronze medal on Friday, six months after he was denied the prize following his controversial celebration at the London Games, officials said.The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) said Park was handed the medal by the KOC President Park Yong-sung at the KOC's headquarters in Seoul. Following a disciplinary hearing earlier this week in Switzerland, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to award the player his medal, and Park

SoccerFeb. 15, 2013

Olympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder

Paralympic superstar Oscar Pistorius was charged Thursday with the murder of his girlfriend who was shot inside his home in South Africa, a stunning development in the life of a national hero known as the Blade Runner for his high-tech artificial legs. Reeva Steenkamp, a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women, was shot four times in the predawn hours in the house, in a gated community in the capital, Pretoria, police said.Hours later after undergoing police questioning, P

More SportsFeb. 15, 2013

Teen star Lydia Ko leads in Australia

CANBERRA (AP) ― Teen star Lydia Ko shot a 10-under 63 on Thursday to take the early lead in the first round of the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Women’s Australian Open.The 15-year-old amateur won the New Zealand Women’s Open on Sunday for her third victory in a professional tournament. Last year, Ko won the New South Wales Open to become the youngest player to win a pro tour event and the Canadian Open to become the youngest LPGA Tour winner. She also won the U.S. Women’s Amateur.Ko opened with a

GolfFeb. 14, 2013

Pistorius arrested after woman shot at home

Paralympic superstar Oscar Pistorius was charged Thursday with the murder of his girlfriend who was shot inside his home in South Africa, a stunning development in the life of a national hero known as the Blade Runner for his high-tech artificial legs.Reeva Steenkamp, a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women, was shot four times in the predawn hours in the house, in a gated community in the capital, Pretoria, police said.Hours later after undergoing police questioning, Pi

More SportsFeb. 14, 2013

Korean soccer seeks to reinvent itself

For most, a 30th birthday is a time to think about settling down, starting a family and planning for the future. In short, it is time to grow up. Yet for professional football in South Korea, the start of its fourth decade is a time for a new and radical change.On the field, there seems to be little wrong with the game. The league produces plenty of good talent who then go on to play in top competitions such as England, Germany and France. In Asia, it is easily the most successful in club compet

SoccerFeb. 14, 2013

Choi Kang-hee denies his uncertain future affects team

The head coach of the men’s South Korean soccer team on Thursday bristled at the notion that his uncertain future with the club has distracted his players, saying he will not talk about his status during qualifications for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.Choi Kang-hee, who has been coaching the national team since December 2011, said the country’s 4-0 loss to Croatia in last week’s friendly match had nothing to do with any lack of mental strength on the players’ part.“The players may have lost their con

SoccerFeb. 14, 2013

Taekwondo reforms a boon in keeping Olympic status

The retention of taekwondo as an Olympic sport may have been driven by its global governing body’s efforts to reform and spread the Korean marital art, officials said. At the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, the traditional Korean sport was kept as one of 25 “core sports” in the Summer Olympic program. Wresting was dropped. “Our reform efforts to improve the operation of matches seem to have been appreciated at the meeting,” an off

More SportsFeb. 13, 2013

Snedeker withdraws from Match Play with sore ribs

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Brandt Snedeker withdrew from the Match Play Championship on Tuesday because of sore ribs that have been causing him discomfort despite his torrid stretch of golf.Snedeker said he began feeling soreness in his left rib cage a month ago at the Humana Challenge. He then finished runner-up in consecutive weeks to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for his second win in his last seven starts.Already this year, Snedeker has earned nearly $3 mil

GolfFeb. 13, 2013