Team Korea Baseball Roster Finalized

After an intensive and eventful process, the national baseball team squad for the 2006 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, has finally been concluded.

On September 13, Kim Jae-bak (Hyundai), head coach of Team Korea, summoned first baseman Jang Sung-ho (KIA), catcher Cho In-sung (LG), and pitcher Woo Kyu-min (LG) to join the team, replacing infielder Kim Dong-joo (Doosan), catcher Hong Seong-heon (Doosan), and pitcher Koo Dae-sung (Hanwha), who refused to join the roster for reasons such as injury.

Jang Sung-ho, who was chosen instead of Kim Dong-joo, is a technical left-handed hitter who produces numerous singles. He is currently attempting to accomplish his ninth straight year of hitting over 0.300. As of September 12, he ranked sixth in the league in batting at exactly 0.300. Although his position overlaps significantly with the slugger first baseman Lee Dae-ho (Lotte), he might prove himself as a valuable designated hitter or pinch hitter.

For Hong Seong-heon, Cho In-sung, who played in the World Baseball Classic in March, will substitute, and for left-handed closer Koo Dae-sung, sidearm pitcher Woo Kyu-min, who is in his third year, will substitute. Woo, whose performance has abruptly improved this season, has three wins, four losses, and an ERA of 1.76.

By October 15, the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association will submit the final roster of 22 players including these three players to the Korean Olympic Committee. Team Korea for the Asian Games is comprised of players in the domestic professional and amateur league, and none of them is playing abroad, such as in the Major League or the Japanese league.

uni@donga.com