``Make Stage of Dream for Myself``

△ Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson should not take the mound. △ Even if they take the mound, their pitching number should pass over 120 until 7th or 8th inning. △ Even if the team leads the game, the lead should not be too big.

These are the preconditions for Kim Byung-Hyun (22, Arizona Diamondbacks) to become a first Asian pitcher to play in the World Series.

Although the domestic fans have watched over the game one and two longing for Kim`s historical appearance in the World Series, Kim did not move up to the mound even in the leading situations. There were plausible reasons for his nonappearance.

In game one, Schilling pitched until the seventh inning, but there was no need for closer Kim to take the mound because of too widened run-difference 9-1. In game two, even though the team led 4-0, Randy Johnson did not throw many balls (110), so that his own completion was more desirable.

The analysis on four playoff games in which Kim Byung-Hyun took the mound, showed that Manager Bob Brenly sent Kim to the mound only when three preconditions above were satisfied.

Kim`s first postseason appearance was made in division series game three with the St. Louis Cardinals in 5-3 leading 8th inning, in which Miguel Batista started. Kim showed up again in NLCS game two in 1-8 led ninth inning, but it was for condition test following long break.

In NLCS game four, Arizona`s starter was Albie Lopez, and Kim saved the game in full-based 8th inning with no-out. It was the NLCS game five that Kim collaborated with one of `Arizona`s one-two punch`, Johnson. Kim moved up the mound in 3-2 leading 8th inning and pitched two scoreless innings to earn a save. When Kim took over the mound, Johnson`s pitch reached 118 until 7th inning, and he began to lose his stuff allowing a run in the 7th.

Taking three preconditions into consideration, Kim is likely to play in World Series game three or four at New York in which Arizona`s third and fourth starters Brian Anderson and Miguel Batista will start. Especially, Kim`s appearance is very positive in game three in which four-win starter Anderson for condition check-up, irrespective of the game situation.

Kim Byung-Hyun arrived at New York yesterday and began to warm up. Concerning the worries about the fanatic cheering of the Yankee fans, Kim answered confidently, ``I don`t mind how many Yankee fans come to the Stadium. I will focus only on my game standing on the mound.``

ssoo@donga.com