Ryu finds KBO success with lessons learned in U.S.

When right-handed pitcher Ryu Jae-kuk signed with the Chicago Cubs out of a Seoul high school in 2001 and received $1.6 million in signing bonus, it seemed like the hard-throwing teenager was headed for a successful career in Major League Baseball.It didn’t quite pan out that way, though. Ryu spent five years in the Cubs’ minor league system before making his big league debut in 2006, but made only 10 appearances there. He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007, but slowed by elbow problems, he

BaseballMarch 27, 2014

Lim signs with KBO’s Samsung

SEOUL/GYEONGSAN (Yonhap) ― Free agent right-hander Lim Chang-yong rejoined his former South Korean club Samsung Lions on Wednesday, only days after getting released by the Chicago Cubs, officials here said.The Lions said Lim, 37, agreed to a one-year deal worth 500 million won ($465,000) after holding talks at the team’s minor league training ground in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The Korea Baseball Organization club and the player have agreed no

BaseballMarch 26, 2014

S. Korea draws Australia, Oman, Kuwait at 2015 AFC Asian Cup

South Korea will face Australia, Oman and Kuwait in the group stage at the quadrennial continental tournament scheduled for next January.The four countries were paired into Group A at the draw held in Sydney on Wednesday for the 2015 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Australia. The tournament will take place from Jan. 9-31.Sixteen nations were placed into four groups of four. Group B nations are Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea. In Group C, it’s Iran, the United Arab Emira

SoccerMarch 26, 2014

Korea to file complaint over judging

South Korean sports officials said Tuesday they are preparing to file a formal complaint with the International Skating Union over the judging of the women’s figure skating competition at the Sochi Olympics.South Korean fans were outraged when Kim Yu-na was denied a second straight Olympic figure skating gold medal at the Sochi Games and blamed questionable judging. Kim, the 2010 Olympic champion, settled for silver behind Russian teenager Adelina Sotnikova.Officials at the Korean Olympic Commit

More SportsMarch 25, 2014

Seoul off to winless start in K League

Three matches into the 2014 K League Classic football season, FC Seoul is still seeking its first victory and first goal.FC Seoul has two losses and one tie so far, and it’s been a frustrating start for a club that hasn’t fallen out of the top five since 2007 and won the league title just two years ago.FC Seoul lost to Chunnam Dragons at home 1-0 in the season opener and was held to a scoreless draw by Seongnam FC. Then on Sunday, FC Seoul fell to Busan IPark 1-0 at Seoul World Cup Stadium, suff

SoccerMarch 25, 2014

S. Korean pitcher Lim Chang-yong released by Chicago Cubs

South Korean pitcher Lim Chang-yong has been released by the Chicago Cubs, the Major League Baseball team announced Tuesday.The Cubs' official website stated that Lim was "granted his unconditional release" on Monday local time. The 37-year-old is now a free agent.The right-hander with a sidearm delivery made his MLB debut last September, after a call-up from the minors. He had Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his pitching elbow in July 2012 and spent the first half of 2013 in reh

BaseballMarch 25, 2014

Season of uncertainty ...looms in KBO

As the top South Korean professional baseball league prepares for the 2014 season, its nine clubs are bracing themselves for what promises to be a season full of changes and uncertainty.The Korea Baseball Organization will begin its 33rd season on Saturday with eight of the nine teams in action. The Samsung Lions, as the three-time defending champions, will open their season at home against the Kia Tigers in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Teams will each play 128 games.The Lions

BaseballMarch 24, 2014

Every rallies for 1st win at Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) ― Matt Every is finally a winner on the PGA Tour, and he’s still not sure how it happened.He was nine shots behind Masters champion Adam Scott going into the weekend at Bay Hill. He was still four back of the Australian he referred to as a “stud” going into the final round Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.Every figured even par over the last three holes would do the trick. He made two bogeys.Even after a hearty handshake from the tournament host and a shiny trophy a

GolfMarch 24, 2014

Feeling Dodger blue

SYDNEY/SEOUL (Yonhap) ― Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers won his first start of the 2014 season against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia on Sunday, throwing five shutout innings in L.A.’s 7-5 win in the second game of the MLB opening series Down Under.Ryu stymied the Diamondbacks at Sydney Cricket Ground, yielding just two hits and one walk while striking out five batters. He also went 1 for 2 with a run scored. He threw 87 pitches, 55 of them for strikes.Ryu opened his sophomore big

BaseballMarch 23, 2014

Korea to file complaint over Olympic figure skating judging

South Korea will file an official complaint with the international governing body for figure skating over the controversial composition of the judging panel for the ladies’ singles competition at this year’s Winter Olympics, officials said on Friday.South Korean star Kim Yu-na won the silver medal in the event at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia last month, finishing more than five points behind Adelina Sotnikova of Russia in a decision that baffled many experts and fans alike. Those who ques

More SportsMarch 21, 2014