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

Sidearm pitcher for S. Korea brimming with confidence after 1st pre-WBC scrimmage

TUCSON -- Of seven South Korean pitchers to take the mound in their first scrimmage before the World Baseball Classic here on Thursday, sidearmer Ko Young-pyo threw the fewest pitches with 16. He wasn't just the most efficient one, as seven pitchers each worked an inning. Ko was also the sharpest, as he struck out two and pitched around a hit by the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. South Korea prevailed 8-2. In international

Feb. 17, 2023

S. Korean players wary of Japanese sluggers at WBC

TUCSON -- Japan has no shortage of star power as world No. 1 in baseball and a title favorite at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani is a transcendent two-way phenom, and San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish can dominate any lineup with his impressive arsenal of pitches. From the domestic league, Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami is coming off a 56-homer campaign. South Korean catcher Yang Eui-ji, however, is keeping a close eye on another

Feb. 16, 2023

Veteran pitcher eager to learn from younger teammates at WBC

TUCSON-- Young pitchers on the South Korean national team for the World Baseball Classic have said they grew up admiring Yang Hyeon-jong, the MVP-winning left-hander for the Kia Tigers and now captain of the national team pitching staff. Yang, who will be 35 by the start of the big tournament in March, may be in the position to lead, but Yang said Tuesday he also wants to learn from his younger teammates. "These young guys are fearless on the mount. I want to learn everything from them,&q

Feb. 15, 2023

Leaner and meaner, Padres infielder Kim Ha-seong ready to attack fastballs in Year 3

LOS ANGELES -- In his second major league season in 2022, San Diego Padres infielder Kim Ha-seong was named a finalist for the National League Gold Glove at shortstop. He didn't win the big prize but earned wide acclaim as one of the game's top defenders. And for Year 3, Kim would like his hitting to catch up to his fielding. To that end, Kim has changed both his body and his swing. "I've cut down on some fat and added muscle, and I've also simplified my swing," Kim

Feb. 14, 2023