The Korea Herald

Bears acquire Lutz

The South Korean baseball club Doosan Bears on Wednesday announced their acquisition of former big league infielder Zach Lutz.The team said Lutz, 28, has agreed to a one-year deal worth $550,000.Lutz appeared in 22 games for the New York Mets in 2012 and 2013, going 7 for 31 at the plate with two RBIs.He has spent the majority of his career in the minors. In 2014, he played 59 games for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, batting .291 with seven homers and 37 RBIs. (Yonhap)

BaseballJan. 14, 2015

Kang Jung-ho confident he can be starter

INCHEON (Yonhap) ― On the verge of joining the Pittsburgh Pirates with his first Major League Baseball contract, South Korean shortstop Kang Jung-ho said Wednesday he is confident he can outplay the Bucs’ incumbent shortstop if given an opportunity.Kang left for Pittsburgh on Wednesday, a day after a U.S. report claimed that he and the Pirates had agreed to a four-year deal worth about $16 million. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Kang insisted no deal was in place yet, bu

BaseballJan. 14, 2015

Kang Jung-ho confident he can be starter

Stielike admits team got ‘lucky’ in win over Kuwait

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― South Korea may have defeated Kuwait 1-0 at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in Canberra on Tuesday, but South Korea’s head coach Uli Stielike said the loser was actually the better team.Nam Tae-hee headed in the winner in the 36th minute for South Korea, which had to hold on for dear life for most of the second half, as Kuwait kept pressure on the sloppy South Korean defense.“I hate to admit it but Kuwait was the better team in many aspects,” Stielike said. “They battled hard for t

SoccerJan. 14, 2015

Stielike admits team got ‘lucky’ in win over Kuwait

Feeling black and gold

South Korean shortstop Kang Jung-ho has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a U.S. report claimed Tuesday.ESPN.com reported, citing a source, that Kang has reached a four-year deal worth approximately $16 million, with an option for a fifth year.The deal is pending a physical, the report added.Kang’s Korea Baseball Organization club, the Nexen Heroes, said Monday that the player was scheduled to depart for Pittsburgh on Wednesday and to undergo a physical on Thursday and

BaseballJan. 13, 2015

Midfielder Lee ruled out of Asian Cup

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong has been ruled out of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup with a hairline fracture to his right tibia, national team officials announced Tuesday, dealing a huge blow to the country’s hopes to end a half-century title drought at the continental tournament.The Korea Football Association said Lee, the team’s assistant captain, was diagnosed with the fracture Monday. Though he can engage in daily activities, doctors recommended that he sit out footbal

SoccerJan. 13, 2015

Korea defeats Kuwait 1-0

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― South Korea squeezed past Kuwait 1-0 for its second straight win at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup here on Tuesday, taking a step closer to a berth in the quarterfinals.Nam Tae-hee headed in the first goal in the first half at Canberra Stadium on a rainy day, as South Korea overcame a sloppy defense to keep alive its quest to end a 55-year title drought at the continental tournament.South Korea defeated Oman 1-0 last Saturday, also in Canberra.South Korea can clinch a spot in the

SoccerJan. 13, 2015

Ronaldo wins 3rd FIFA Player of the Year award

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) is congratulated by FIFA president Sepp Blatter after winning the FIFA Player of the Year award. (AP-Yonhap)ZURICH (AP) ― Cristiano Ronaldo hopes his third FIFA Player of the Year award brought him closer to being remembered as one of soccer’s all-time greats.The Portuguese forward, who led Real Madrid to its record 10th European title, received 37.66 percent of votes of national team coaches and captains and selected media to add to the FIFA awards he won in 2008 and 20

SoccerJan. 13, 2015

Ronaldo wins 3rd FIFA Player of the Year award

Reed wins in playoff at Kapalua

KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) ― Four shots behind with four holes to play, Patrick Reed made two birdies and holed out from 80 yards for an eagle Monday, and then closed out his unlikely rally by making an 18-foot birdie putt to beat Jimmy Walker in a playoff at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.The PGA Tour started a new year without a host of big names, but got a compelling finish at Kapalua.Reed charged back into the picture with his eagle on the 16th hole, a shot that spun back toward the hole and

GolfJan. 13, 2015

With deal in sight, Kang set to visit Pittsburgh

Reportedly close to getting a deal done with the Pittsburgh Pirates, South Korean shortstop Kang Jung-ho will depart for Pittsburgh this week, his current South Korean club announced Monday.The Nexen Heroes said Kang will leave for the U.S. city on Wednesday. Once there, Kang will undergo medical tests on Thursday and Friday, the Heroes added.The Heroes posted Kang last month, after the slugging shortstop belted 40 home runs and drove in 117 runs in 117 games in the 2014 season. The home run and

BaseballJan. 12, 2015

New frame of mind

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― As his team prepares to take on a defensive-minded Kuwait at the ongoing Asian Cup, South Korea head coach Uli Stielike said Monday his players will break down the wall with an opportunistic offense.South Korea defeated Oman 1-0 in Group A action last Saturday at Canberra Stadium, thanks to a goal by forward Cho Young-cheol in the dying moments of the first half. Stielike’s team will take on Kuwait at the same stadium on Tuesday. The kickoff is 6 p.m. local time and 4 p.m. in

SoccerJan. 12, 2015

With deal in sight, Kang set to visit Pittsburgh

Reportedly close to getting a deal done with the Pittsburgh Pirates, South Korean shortstop Kang Jung-ho will depart for Pittsburgh this week, his current South Korean club announced Monday.The Nexen Heroes said Kang will leave for the U.S. city on Wednesday. Once there, Kang will undergo medical tests on Thursday and Friday, the Heroes added.The Heroes posted Kang last month, after the slugging shortstop belted 40 home runs and drove in 117 runs in 117 games in the 2014 season. The home run and

BaseballJan. 12, 2015

Messi quells Barca crisis with big win

BARCELONA (AP) ― Lionel Messi did everything he could to put end to Barcelona’s most serious club crisis in years on Sunday, first scoring one goal and setting up two more in a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid before denying a swarm of rumors swirling around the star forward.Stifled by Atletico in six winless meetings last season, Messi first shredded the defending champion’s vaunted defense with run after run, passing for Neymar to score in the 12th minute and for Luis Suarez to double the lead at

SoccerJan. 12, 2015

Federer claims Brisbane crown and 1,000th win

BRISBANE, Australia (AFP)--Roger Federer brought up his 1,000th victory at tour level in style Sunday when he beat Canadian Milos Raonic in three tough sets to win the Brisbane International. Federer was forced to absorb some superb shotmaking and blistering serves from the 24-year-old before winning 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena. Federer's glittering career now includes 83 singles titles, including 17 Grand Slams, since his first victory over Frenchman Gu

More SportsJan. 11, 2015

Stielike pleased with winning start

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― The South Korean men’s football coach Uli Stielike voiced satisfaction Saturday with his team’s 1-0 victory over Oman to open the AFC Asian Cup, saying he preferred a narrow win to a larger victory that would only have raised expectations on his team.Cho Young-cheol scored the lone goal of the match late in the first half, as South Korea began a campaign for its first Asian Cup title in 55 years.Stielike acknowledged that his team could have played better but he was satisfied

SoccerJan. 11, 2015

Patriots hold off Ravens

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP) ― Tom Brady’s third touchdown pass gave New England its first lead with about five minutes remaining and the Patriots reached their fourth straight AFC championship game with a 35-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.Justin Tucker had given the Ravens a 31-28 lead on a 25-yard field goal with 10:17 left. Then Brady directed a masterful 74-yard drive. He completed eight of nine passes for 72 yards ― and ran for a first down ― and put the Patriots ahead with

More SportsJan. 11, 2015

Bae part of 4-way tie for Hawaii lead

KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) ― Zach Johnson putted for birdie on every hole and made seven of them Saturday for a 6-under 67 that put him in a four-way tie for the lead after two rounds of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.Johnson was halfway home to becoming the first repeat winner at Kapalua who wasn’t from Australia ― Stuart Appleby and Geoff Ogilvy were the others. But not only is the first PGA Tour event of the year only through 36 holes, it’s extraordinarily crowded.Jimmy Walker dropped a stroke

GolfJan. 11, 2015

Chelsea moves 2 points clear of City at top of EPL

LONDON (AP) ― Chelsea overcame a difficult start to beat Newcastle 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, moving two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after Manuel Pellegrini’s side was held to a 1-1 draw at Everton.Oscar led Jose Mourinho’s team to victory, putting Chelsea ahead in the 43rd minute against the run of play after a quickly worked corner by Willian and Branislav Ivanovic.Oscar then set up Diego Costa’s second-half goal by controlling Eden Hazard’s chippe

SoccerJan. 11, 2015

Chelsea moves 2 points clear of City at top of EPL

S. Korea defeats Oman 1-0 to open AFC Asian Cup

CANBERRA (Yonhap) – South Korea defeated Oman 1-0 to open its AFC Asian Cup campaign in Australia on Saturday, an encouraging start to its quest to end a half-century title drought at the continent's largest football tournament.Forward Cho Young-cheol scored in the dying moments of the first half on a rainy day at Canberra Stadium, and South Korea held on over the final 45 minutes for the ever-important first victory in Group A.South Korea is seeking to win its first Asian Cup title since 1960.

SoccerJan. 10, 2015

Boston to be American bidder for 2024 Olympics

DENVER (AP) ― U.S. Olympic leaders surprisingly cast their future with Boston, hoping a compact, college-centric bid will overshadow the city’s organized protest group and convince international voters to bring the Summer Games to America after a 28-year gap.During a daylong meeting at the Denver airport Thursday, USOC board members chose Boston, with its promise of frugality and lots of temporary and reusable venues, over Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington.“Today’s selection by the USOC

More SportsJan. 9, 2015

Rooney voted England player of the year

LONDON (AFP) ― England captain Wayne Rooney has been voted his national team’s player of the year for 2014 after topping a supporters poll.Although he failed to inspire England to success at the World Cup, it was still a memorable 12 months for the Manchester United striker.The 29-year-old scored eight goals in 13 appearances and was named England skipper following Steven Gerrard’s retirement from international football.Rooney also moved to within three goals of Bobby Charlton’s all-time scoring

SoccerJan. 9, 2015