Homeruns for Lee Seung Yeop and Sim Jung Soo

Korean players in the Major League finally are getting into the swing of things.

Lee Seung Yeop (27, Samsung) and Sim Jung Soo (28, Hyundai), of the Florida Marlins, both hit homeruns in a game against the New York Mets held at Roger Dean`s Stadium on Thursday and completely shook off the `grief of being bench warmers`.

The two, who played irregularly, were put into the game at the later half of the game. Lee entered the game as a pinch fielder substituting for Brian Banks in the 7th inning, and got a chance at bat at the bottom of the same inning. It was two out with a runner on first. The team was trailing 3-5. Lee, who had not recorded a single hit in games between the camps with two at-bats in exhibition games, hit a curve ball thrown in by Mets` pitcher Tyler Walker at a ball count of 2-2. The Korean made a 115m tying homerun beyond the right field wall. His first hit after joining Florida was a homerun. Lee entered the batters box in the 10th inning one more time but was retired with a fly ball over second base. For the game, he recorded 1 hit, 2 RBI`s in two at-bats.

Sim Jung Soo, entered the game as a pinch fielder in the 10th inning, and hit a 125m single homerun beyond the left field wall after two outs when his team was trailing 5-7. Although the team lost the game 6-7, the Manager of the Florida Jeff Torborg praised them, “They could play here right now, both of them.”

Lee Seung Yeop, who made people around him sorry, said after hitting his first homerun, “I hit the circle change-up. I do not have many chances to hit, but I think it is inevitable because I am an invitee. I do not have any problems, and am learning a lot here such as the bench atmosphere and practice attitudes. I will probably be an official Major League player next year.”

In the meantime, Choi Hui Sub of the Chicago Cubs hit his first long hit against the Texas Rangers. Choi hit a one run double over the right field wall at two outs with a runner on first in the 3rd inning. He had 1 hit and 1 RBI in two at-bats. The player, who hit his first double in 5 exhibition games, is marking 4 hits and 2 RBI`s in 9 at-bats. Choo Shin Soo of the Seattle Mariners had no hits in one at-bat.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com