KBO 40 Legends: Power threats

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KBO 40 Legends: Power threats

Published: 21 Sep. 2022, 09:53

Clockwise from top left: Jang Jong-hoon, Kim Dong-joo, Tyrone Woods and Shim Chong-soo. [KBO]

The KBO on Monday announced the final four members of the league’s “40 Legend” team, a round-up of the top 40 KBO players of all time that has been slowly compiled since the All-Star game in July.

Players were chosen for the 40-man squad from a list of 177 candidates, including all former Golden Glove and Korean Series MVP winners, as well as any pitchers who had recorded 800 appearances with 100 wins, 150 saves and at least one 20-win season and any batters who had appeared in 2,000 games, hit 200 home runs, 2,000 hits and had at least one 40-home run season.

All active players, including those playing overseas, were excluded.

There's a lot going on on the baseball field, but for the layman it all comes down to one thing: the big flies. These legends were some of the most dangerous home run hitters the KBO has ever seen.

Jang Jong-hoon

Jang was a prolific slugger, leading the KBO in home runs and RBIs for three straight seasons from 1990 to 1992. He was the first player to hit 300 home runs and the first hitter to win back-to-back MVP awards.

Jang Jong-hoon [KBO]

Kim Dong-joo

Bears legend Kim hit back-to-back home runs in his very first KBO game and went on to a slugging career of epic proportions. In 2000, he hit the KBO’s longest-ever home run, a 150-meter rocket at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

Kim Dong-joo [KBO]

Shim Chong-soo

Shim started his career with Kim at the Bears, but became even deadlier when he joined the Unicorns in 2001. He hit 53 home runs in a single season in 2003 and is 10th on the career home run list, with 328.

Shim Chong-soo [KBO]

Tyrone Woods

Woods was the third member of the Bears slugging machine in the late ‘90s, hitting over 30 home runs in his first four seasons in the KBO. He is the only foreign position player to make it on to the 40 Legends squad.