Naver, which is a Korean portal like Yahoo!, has posted video clips of its Top 10 home runs, defensive plays, fantastic finishes, and an MLB Top 10 moments for 2007. It’s well worth a look, especially if you don’t normally follow or see Korean baseball.
My favorite finish involves a May game between the Kia Tigers and Lotte Giants (located at the top of the second column). First baseman Lee Dae-ho starts a great double play to help Lotte get out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth, only to drop a routine flyball with two-out in the ninth. In the 12th Lotte takes a two run lead, only to lose the game in the bottom half on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the head. Don’t see that too often.
A couple of my other favorites: Daniel Rios winning his 20th game by throwing a perfect game over 8 1/3 (he was taken out once he gave up a hit), and game 5 of the Korean Series, also involving Rios, who improbably lost to 19-year-old lefty Kim Gwang-hyun, who after a fairly decent regular season was announced as a surprise starter prior to the game. It shifted the momentum of the series and propelled SK to its first ever Korean championship.
The MLB moments are cool too, if for nothing else to see how Koreans view MLB. If you click a button on the bottom right of the popup screen you can see which clips have the most views. To no surprise Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron’s HR record has the most, but the second most viewed is a surprise — Texas scoring 30 runs in a game versus Baltimore at Camden.
There’s also, in true Korean style, a gallery of the best first pitches at games throughout the year. I think a better title might have been “hot girls and a few kids throwing out the first pitch at baseball games.”
At any rate, also worth a look.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Will // Dec 27, 2007 at 12:49 pm
“the second most viewed is a surprise — Texas scoring 30 runs in a game versus Baltimore at Camden”.
Well, there are still a lot of people in Korea wearing Texas Rangers caps, even if Chan-Ho is unlikely to appear in MLB again (unless the Astros have a mad moment).
2 John Brooks // Dec 27, 2007 at 1:42 pm
but the second most viewed is a surprise — Texas scoring 30 runs in a game versus Baltimore at Camden.
Yeah, thanks for reminding me. As a Orioles fan I sat dumbfounded and still am dumbfounded. Anyway, it just a normal year being a Orioles fan. Nothing suprises me anymore.
Well, there are still a lot of people in Korea wearing Texas Rangers caps, even if Chan-Ho is unlikely to appear in MLB again (unless the Astros have a mad moment).
Well who ever knows what Colletti and the Dodgers would do? Plus I would think that a lot of Koreans would be wearing Dodgers caps from when he was first with LA.
3 A.S. // Dec 27, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Funny enough, I’d guess I see his image connected with the Rangers more often than with LA. Maybe because that was his crowning achievement…getting signed by Texas for big $$ at the height of his career. I hadn’t even thought about the connection between Chan-ho and the popularity of that clip, but I think that’s right on the mark.
I saw an interview clip with Chan-ho today. The question was “what will you do if the Dodgers keep you in the minors all year?” and he said his goal is to win 20 games. I guess it’s good to have goals. My guess is he’ll start the year in Las Vegas and be back in Korea by June.
4 Mike McStay // Dec 28, 2007 at 10:01 am
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/12/136_16257.html
Did not know if you saw this link, but it looks like the Hyundai Unicorns are toast. It also looks like KT will have a 3rd team in Seoul.
The KBO sure is having a very interesting off season.
5 A.S. // Dec 28, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Thanks for the heads up Mike. I put the story to use straightaway.
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