The SK Bullpen’s Phoenix Rises

SK’s top-ranked pitching is divided into two elements. The first is when pitcher Cho Ung-cheon (36) takes the mound; the other is when Cho doesn’t.

As of May 9, Cho has taken the mound in 15 games out of 27 matches SK has played so far. The history of Cho playing a large number of games is nothing new. Beginning in 1996 to 2006, Cho pitched in more than 50 games for 11 consecutive years. Cho seems to be on track to play at least 50 games this year as well.

On April 19, Cho became the first pitcher to play 700 games in a match against Kia. Cho is usually ready after throwing just a few warm-up pitches before taking the mound. Cho is a natural relief pitcher.

If any ordinary pitcher played as many games, he would likely suffer shoulder or elbow injuries. However, Cho, who debuted in professional baseball in 1990, rarely suffered from any injuries over the last 18 years.

It takes Cho less time to loosen up his shoulders than other players. Cho gets ready just throwing several balls for practice. Cho, himself, says that he is a natural relief pitcher.

Cho hardly throws while in practice. He seldom pitches in the bullpen and minimizes the amount of pitches he throws.

Back in 1990, Cho was a cheap trainee, but in 2003, he hit the jackpot with a contract worth 1.7 billion won over a four-year period.

When Cho made his debut in professional baseball, he was not a promising pitcher. In 1990, Cho joined Taepyongyang with an annual salary of 10 million won as a trainee. For the first few years, Cho pitched in just a few games. And yet, Cho managed to continue his career as he performed better in spring. After the 1994 season, after he was asked to leave the team, Cho literally fought with his back against the wall, saying, “I’ll help father selling vegetables should I fail next year again.” Cho also obtained driver’s license to drive a truck. His pitching improved soon afterwards. He didn’t need a driver’s license any more.

After the 1999 season, he had yet another crisis in his life but, laid the foundation for his long pitching career by practicing sinkerballs in camp. At the end of 2003, Cho became the first Korean relief pitcher to sign a 1.75 billion won, four-year contract.

Cho is continuing his pitching career for younger and relief pitchers.

However, Cho was not in the spotlight all the time because he is a middle relief pitcher. A starter achieves a victory and a closer gains a record of a save. But middle relief pitchers, who are always on stand by and take the mound in critical times, get relatively poorer treatment.

Cho said, “A quality start (at least six innings, giving up no more than three runs) is the equivalent of an ERA of 4.50 for relief pitchers. For relief pitchers, that is a terrible record.”

Cho noted, “I think that I can help younger relief pitchers by doing well and getting good treatment and earning good money.”

At a time when big and powerful players make headlines, Cho’s baseball career continues steadily along, It may not be shiny but, Cho is making it on his own for sure.

uni@donga.com