Kim, Byung-Hyun is Starting on the 5th of Next Month

`The Korean Nuclear Submarine` Kim, Byung-Hyun (24. Arizona Diamondbacks) is going up to the testing stand as a starter in 2 years and 5 months.

A local newspaper of the Arizona, the East Valley Tribune reported on the 19th that Kim, Byung-Hyun is starting a exhibition game against the Colorado, which will be held at the Electric Park in Tucson on the 5th of next month. It is a rare case that a under throwing submarine pitcher is starting in the Major League.

Kim, Byung-Hyun, who is competing for the 5th starter position with Miguel Bartista, is planning to throw 2~3 innings.

On March 1st, he will play at an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox as a relief after the starter Kurt Schilling.

The fact that the closer of the Arizona Mat Mantei is fully recovered from injury is affecting for the change of Kim, Byung-Hyun to a starter.

Kim, Byung-Hyun is showing his enthusiasm by saying, “I always liked the starter. I want to do what I like.”

Kim, Byung-Hyun went up to the mound as a surprise starter at the away game against the Colorado on September 27, 2000; however, he had a bad experience of allowing 2 homeruns and 4 runs in two innings.

The starting rotation of the exhibition games of Arizona is organized starting Randy Johnson for the opening game against the White Sox on the February 28th and followed by Kurt Schilling (March 1), Elmer Dessens (March 2), and Bartista (March 3).

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com