Korea Gets Silver Medal after Close Game with Cuba

It was a very close game that Korea could have won. It was like losing a big fish you almost had in your hand.

The Korean National Team comprising called a junior dream team fought well with the world champion Cuba in the finals of the 15th Intercontinental Baseball Cup, but lost the game by 1 to 2.

It was the 1977 tournament held in Nicaragua when the team won the cup, with Samsung coach Lee Sun-hee, then the team`s leading pitcher, named the most valuable player. The national team was all set to reclaim the first place after 25 years, but it had to settle down with a silver medal instead.

Korea played shoulder-to-shoulder with the world`s baseball powerhouse, recording six hits vs. Cuba`s seven hits. The first run of the game was from Korea. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lee Bum-ho (Hanhwa) hit a solitary homer to left field, helping the team lead by one.

Then, the game was dominated by pitchers from the both teams until the seventh. Pitcher Jung Dae-hyun (SK), who gave Cuban hitters few chances to catch up, allowed Canizares a hit at the top of the seventh. With the runner on the second base, Duenas hit a two-run home run.

The decisive moment came at the bottom of the seventh when Park Seung-hyun (Lotte) stole the second base after walking out with four balls. A base for balls by Chae Jong-bum (SK) and a surprise bunt by Gang In-won (Dusan) made the bases full.

Kim Min-jae (SK), however, sent a ground ball toward the third base and the third-base runner was out at the home. Jung Geun-woo and Jang Won-jin were also out by three strikes and a foul fly, failing to take advantage of the chance.

Then, Korea mobilized all the pitchers available, the rest two of submarine trio Ma Jung-gil (Hanhwa) and Kim Gi-pyo (Gyungsung Univ.), Lee Hye-chun (Dusan) and Chae Byung-ryong (SK). It managed to stop the Cubans further making a score, but also failed to score on its part.

It was the 1999`s Intercontinental Cup that Korea defeat Cuba last time at an international tournament. At that time, it scored a 4 to 3 victory at the bottom of the tenth inning thanks to a hit by Gwon Yun-min (Chicago Cubs).

Cuba recorded the tenth consecutive victory last night before its home crowd, proving yet again its world`s best play. Dominica and Panama shared the third place, and Cuba`s Canizares was named the most valuable player. Outfielder Lee Jin-young (SK) was the only Korean player who joined the all star lineup.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com