Unforgettable Happenings

Wherever it is, bizarre things always occur. That is well illustrated in the Korean 2003 Samsung Securities sponsored professional baseball season. During the SK vs. LG game Thursday, Alkantra of LG Twins, despite hitting a 2 run home run at the 7th inning, was put out as he did not step his foot on the home plate because he was over excited of the home run ceremony.

▽I Lost My Job

LG head couch Baek In-cheon once boasted his confidence in his team at the Spring Camp of Arizona. “Commentators will say Lotte will be the worst team for sure. I will let them step down,” Back said. However, he was fired in less than a year Wednesday from LG Twins. Back was interviewed during the season when LG was the last among the teams. “You said you will let the commentators step down, what happened?” “Oh, I remember that. I just wanted players to gain confidence. That’s all…”

▽Out, Out and Out …

Suwon Hyundai Vs Gwangju Kia, March 5. 5 batters were out in the extended top 10th inning. At 2 outs with one runner at the third base, Jo Gyu-je of Hyundai let go of 2 batters consecutively by not outs. In the record, they were 3 strike outs, but the thing was that Jo threw a wild pitching. Jo finally got King Sang-hun out again with 3 strike outs. So in total, 5 Kia players got out during one inning.

▽Performance and Private Life are Separate Issues

Im Chang-yong gave much disappointment to us at the beginning of the season with his story of divorce and adultery. Despite of it, Samsung head coach Kim Eung-ryong did not bother it and let him step on the mound, without forcing him self-restraint time, at the match held at Jamsil Stadium against Doosan Bears on May 9. After he became the winning pitcher on the night only giving 3 hits and one run, he said during an interview “Well, it`s wired but I feel good, especially about winning today`s game.” What the…..

▽10-1 Sure Victory Becomes 10-12

At the first second inning, Gwangju KIA was leading the game by 10-1 against Suwon Hyundai. KIA players so thought, “Hmm, it is gonna be a peace of cake today,” and rather too relaxed. But well. As the game heads towards the end, the score became almost the same and finally Shim Jung-su hit the game winning 3 run home run and KIA was recorded in the history of the Korean professional baseball for the come-from-behind game with the largest score difference. No KIA play could have sound sleep on the night.

▽For President Security …

The uniform of the 2nd base referee does not have ball pockets. However, the 2nd base referee at the All Star Baseball Game held at the Daejeon station July 17 had ball pockets. He was a disguised bodyguard of President Roh Moo-hyun who opened the game by throwing the first ball.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com