Sports Briefs

BASEBALL

KBO commissioner throws first pitch at Yankee Stadium

The leader of Korean professional baseball held talks with the commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB) during the recent All-Star break, the league office here said Saturday.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said its commissioner, Chung Un-chan, sat down with his MLB counterpart, Rob Manfred, for discussions on speeding up the game and globalizing baseball. Chung attended the MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington on Tuesday (local time).

The KBO said Chung also visited the offices of MLB Network in New Jersey and MLB Advanced Media in New York and attended briefings on integrated marketing.

Upon MLB’s request, Chung also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium before the game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets on Friday (local time).

Chung was named the new head of the KBO in December 2017 and will serve as the KBO’s commissioner for three years.

With the appointment, Chung became the KBO’s 13th commissioner and the first ex-prime minister to take the helm.

Yonhap

Lim Chang-yong starts for first time since 2007

For the first time in 11 years, Lim Chang-yong of the Kia Tigers appeared as the starter during a game against the KT Wiz on Friday.

In four and one third of an inning, Lim gave up two runs and five hits while striking out four. Though Lim was given a no decision, as the score was tied at 2-2 when he left the mound, the Tigers won the game 6-4.

Throughout the game, Lim made a total of 74 pitches with the fastest recorded at 146 kilometers per hour.

This season, Lim has a 2.90 ERA with two wins, one loss and four saves in 26 games.

This was the first time since Sept. 30, 2007 that Lim has appeared as a starter and, at age 42, Lim became the second oldest starting pitcher in the league’s history.

Song Jin-woo, now the Hanwha Eagles’ coach, holds the record as the oldest starter in the KBO at age 43. Song also holds the record for the oldest starting pitcher to pick up a win, at age 42, on Sept. 13, 2008.

By Kang Yoo-rim