Byung-Hyun Kim
Encyclopedia
Byung-Hyun Kim is a South Korea
n professional baseball
pitcher
for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
of Nippon Professional Baseball. He is best known for his years with the Arizona Diamondbacks
and the Boston Red Sox
. In 2001, Kim took over mid-season as the Diamondbacks' closer
and saved 19 games, then saved 3 games while giving up no runs in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the 2001 World Series
, however, Kim twice gave up ninth-inning leads, taking the loss in Game 4 and leading to an extra-innings loss for the Diamondbacks in Game 5, though the Diamondbacks rebounded to win the Championship in 7 games. Kim went on to save 36 games for the Diamondbacks in 2002 and 16 for the Red Sox in 2003, and played in the 2002 All Star Game
.
Kim has also played for the Colorado Rockies
and Florida Marlins
in Major League Baseball
.
were Kim's teammates in 1996 and they are very close friends. Named both the Most Valuable Player
and Most Valuable Pitcher for the National High School championships in Korea
, Kim was selected to the 1996 National Junior Team, then named to the National Team in both 1997 and 1998. In that year, he pitched against the US Olympic
team, striking out
15 batters in 6 2/3 innings. Later, he helped Korea claim the gold medal in the Asian Games
held in Bangkok
, Thailand
. Kim attended Sungkyunkwan University
's Faculty of Law until 1999.
on February 19, 1999. Kim went 2-0 with 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings in El Paso (AA) and then went to Tucson Sidewinders
(AAA), where he posted 2-0 with 21 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. His ability to strike out batters caught the attention of Diamondbacks coaching staff. He was the youngest player in MLB at the time he debuted on May 29 at Shea Stadium
. He came in to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, and after retiring Edgardo Alfonzo
and John Olerud
, struck out Mike Piazza
and got the save
in the Diamondbacks' 8-7 victory over the New York Mets
.
role when incumbent Matt Mantei
opened the season on the disabled list
. For the year, Kim struck out 111 hitters in just 70.2 innings pitched
(14.14 per nine innings), including 11 out of 12 batters over five games, and twice struck out eight consecutive batters. After his 14 saves and a 1.82 ERA
over his first 28 appearances, he was demoted to Triple-A Tucson
at the end of July. Mostly used as a starter
to restore his confidence, Kim returned to Arizona a month later. With Mantei reinserted as the closer, Kim pitched as a setup
man and also started a game after recording 84 relief
appearances.
He made his first career postseason appearance in the NLDS
Game 3 at the Busch Stadium
to protect the Diamondbacks’ 5-3 lead against the Cardinals
with the go-ahead run at the plate in the 8th inning. After a walk
to Albert Pujols
that loaded the bases, Kim ended the inning with a center-field flyout. In the 9th inning, Kim saved the game with the game-ending double play
off Mark McGwire
's bat.
In the NLCS
against the Atlanta Braves, Kim worked a scoreless inning in Game 2, in which the Diamondbacks lost. Kim then saved Games 4 and 5 for the Diamondbacks. Kim entered Game 4 with the bases loaded with no out in the 8th inning to save the Diamondbacks’ 7-3 lead. Kim shut out this inning with a double play and a lineout. He then retired the next three batters in the 9th inning and saved the game. The next night, Kim pitched another two shutout innings and saved the game that clinched the Diamondbacks’ ticket to the World Series
. Kim became the first pitcher since Goose Gossage
to earn two-inning saves on back-to-back days in the postseason. In the 2004 postseason, Houston Astros
closer Brad Lidge
matched Gossage and Kim's feat.
With the Diamondbacks up two games to one going into Game 4 of the World Series, Kim relieved Curt Schilling
in the eighth inning with the Diamondbacks leading 3-1. Kim struck out Shane Spencer
, Scott Brosius
, Alfonso Soriano
, and Bernie Williams
and grounded out Derek Jeter
. But Paul O'Neill hit a single
off Kim before Williams' plate appearance and Tino Martinez
's two-out, two-run home run
tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. With another home run hit off Kim by Derek Jeter
in the bottom of the tenth, the Yankees won the game and tied the Series. Kim threw more than 60 pitches and was charged with the loss. The night after, in Game 5, Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly
sent Kim again to the mound to protect the Diamondbacks' 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada
hit a double
off Kim, but Kim grounded out Shane Spencer
and struck out Chuck Knoblauch
. Scott Brosius then hit a two-run home run to tie the score. Later, Alfonso Soriano hit a single
in the bottom of the 12th to win the game.
Despite Kim's performances in Games 4 and 5, the Diamondbacks clinched the World Series Championship in Game 7 at Bank One Ballpark.
Kim later revealed in an interview how he felt during the 2001 World Series. "We went through the whole season, 25 guys and then the coaching staff. That time it was like old people. They said, 'OK, we got last chance.'Some people said if we don't win, next year everybody's gone." Kim continued, "Then I gave up a home run. I didn't feel good. But we won."
in (30). Kim finished the season with an 8-3 record, 92 strikeouts, and a career-best 2.04 ERA in a team-high 72 appearances. On May 11, 2002, Kim struck out Scott Rolen
, Mike Lieberthal
, and Pat Burrell
on nine pitches in the eighth inning of a ten-inning 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies
. Kim became the 23rd National League pitcher and the 32nd pitcher in Major League history to pitch an immaculate inning
.
On June 12, 2002, Kim pitched two shut-out innings with four strikeouts and saved the Diamondbacks' 9-5 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
In 2002, Kim converted 36 of 42 save opportunities, eighth-best in the NL. Kim was selected for the All-Star Game
.
returned from the disabled list and became the Arizona Diamondbacks' closer, Kim joined the starting rotation. As a Diamondbacks starter, he compiled a record of 1-5 with a 3.56 ERA. On May 29, Kim was traded to Boston for Shea Hillenbrand
. Kim remained as a starter through June, but the Red Sox needed him as their closer because the Red Sox's closer-by-committee approach implemented following the advice of statistician and Red Sox adviser Bill James
was failing. On June 27, Kim made his final start for the 2003 season in Boston's 25-8 win against the Florida Marlins at Fenway Park
.
Kim became the Red Sox closer in July, converting 16 out of 19 save opportunities despite pitching through lingering ankle and shoulder pain caused by the injury he sustained in April. Although he did not give up an earned run in September, by the time the postseason started Kim was not healthy enough to be effective on the pitching mound.
Kim was pulled in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs in his only ALDS
appearance in Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics
. During the lineup announcement in Game 3 at Fenway Park, Red Sox fans intensely booed him. Thinking that he did not deserve the booing after he pitched despite being in pain to advance the Red Sox to the postseason, Kim gave them the middle finger, but later issued an apology. Because of shoulder stiffness, Kim was left off the ALCS roster.
As a starter, Kim went 3-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 12 appearances in . In the beginning of 2004, however, problems with his balance—a lingering effect of the 2003 ankle injury—made him ineffective and cost him a spot in the starting rotation after going 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA in three starts. Bronson Arroyo
took Kim's starting rotation spot and Kim was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket
in May. Kim rejoined the Red Sox in September. He was assigned to the bullpen and won one game in 5⅔ innings of work.
Kim briefly became a subject of talks between high-ranking U.S. and South Korean diplomats in August 2004. Upon his arrival in Seoul
as the new U.S. Ambassador to Korea
in August 2004, Christopher R. Hill
spoke with his Korean diplomatic counterparts about Kim and the Red Sox, along with the U.S.-Korea relationship and other diplomatic and geopolitical issues surrounding the Korean peninsula. Ambassador Hill is one of the high-ranking "Red Sox fan" diplomats in the predominantly Red-Sox U.S. Department of State and watched the Red Sox win the World Series while stationed in Seoul
.
, with general manager Theo Epstein
calling the two-year deal given to him in 2004 "a mistake." Kim was traded for left-handed pitcher Chris Narveson
, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, and catcher
Charles Johnson, who was immediately designated for assignment and released. As part of the trade, Colorado sent Boston $2.6 million to equalize the salaries.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle
gave Kim the choice of taking a spot in the bullpen (Kim posted 0-3 with 7.84 ERA as a middle reliever for the Rockies that season) or a starter position in the Rockies' Triple-A team Colorado Springs Sky Sox
. Just 20 minutes later, Hurdle was told that that Rockies starter Shawn Chacon
was injured and had to go to the disabled list, opening a spot in the Rockies starting rotation for Kim.
On August 8, Sunny Kim, another South Korean starting pitcher who had just joined the Rockies from the Washington Nationals
, and Kim started doubleheader games at Coors Field against the Florida Marlins. They became the first two pitchers with same last name to start both ends of doubleheader since Gaylord
and Jim Perry
for the Cleveland Indians
in 1974. The Rockies won both games and Kim collected a win.
Kim finished the season 5-9 with a 4.37 ERA as a starter. He filed for free agency on November 1, 2005 and re-signed with the Rockies. He earned $1.25 million in 2006 with a club option worth $2.5 million in 2007 (with a $250,000 buyout).
, a tournament held during spring training before the 2006 season. Kim was credited with solid shutout middle relief performances during the tournament in Korea's wins against Taiwan
in the first round and Japan
and the United States
. in the second round. Kim collected a relief-win against Japan in the second round. In the semifinal game against Japan
, Kim relieved Byung-doo Jun in the 7th inning and then allowed a two-run home run to Kosuke Fukudome
. Korea lost the semifinal game and finished third in the tournament.
in Miami. Kim pitched impressively, giving up only one run on five hits while striking out nine batters. Kim established himself in the Rockies starting rotation for the season.
On May 22, 2006, Kim and his former high school teammate and then-Los Angeles Dodgers
' starter Jae Seo started against each other. This game was the first game in which two Korean pitchers started against each other in the Major League history. Both pitchers had quality starts, with Seo getting the win.
On May 28, Barry Bonds
hit his 715th home run off Kim at SBC Park and surpassed Babe Ruth
's 714 career home runs and put himself in sole possession of second place on the all-time career home runs list. After a three-minute delay, Kim struck out the next two batters and pitched 5 1/3 innings to collect a win.
On July 28, 2006, Kim had five consecutive strikeouts against the San Diego Padres
, tying the Rockies record for consecutive strikeouts. In four different starts, he recorded nine strikeouts each against the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. Kim became the only pitcher in Major League history to pitch shutout wins in consecutive starts at Coors Field by beating the Oakland Athletics
on June 19 and the Texas Rangers
on June 25.
. The Rockies' decision to move Kim to the bullpen was controversial. Kim contended that he was not given a fair opportunity during Spring Training
to compete for a starting spot and asked to be traded.
After a spot start on April 15, Kim was placed on the disabled list with an injured thumb. He was assigned to the Rockies' Triple-A team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
, for a rehab assignment. Kim was concerned that his rehab assignment was longer than necessary and changed his agent to Scott Boras
in an effort to get a quicker trade. On May 13, 2007, he was traded to the Florida Marlins for Jorge Julio
. As a Marlin, he proved himself as a dependable starter.
On August 1, Kim collected his 50th career win with a career-high ten strikeouts in his starting matchup against Colorado Rockies' Josh Fogg.
Two days later, Kim was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Kim's return to Arizona lasted two starts; the Diamondbacks designated him and Joe Kennedy for assignment on August 14. Shortly after Kim left the team, Diamondbacks closer Jose Valverde
broke Kim's franchise single-season save record.
On August 25, 2007, the Florida Marlins re-signed Kim as a free agent.
On September 28, Kim collected his tenth win of the season against the Mets at Shea Stadium and became the second South Korean pitcher after Chan Ho Park to win ten games in a Major League season.
. The Pirates had planned to use Kim exclusively in the bullpen. Kim made his first spring training appearance on March 10, 2008. After a disappointing spring training performance, Kim was released by the Pirates on March 25.
.
On March 20, 2010, the Giants granted him his release after he appeared in just one minor league game.
Kim later played with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League
in 2010.
of the Japan
ese Pacific League
.
pitcher, Kim is a side-arm and under-arm hard thrower who uses a great variety of deliveries. Kim possesses a four-seam fastball
with tailing movement frequently hitting the low 90's, a Frisbee slider
with sweeping motion across the plate, an up-shoot slider
with a rising motion, and a circle-changeup
which he usually uses to strike out left-handed
hitters. Nevertheless, during the three seasons between and , his main problem had been the loss of right pitching balance which caused difficulty in ball control and reduced ball velocity. During that time, he also struggled against left-handed batters.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
The is a baseball team founded in 2004; it played its first season in the Japanese Pacific League in 2005. It is simply called Rakuten . The team was created to fill the void left by the merger of the Orix Blue Wave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, after the 2004 season due to financial difficulties,...
of Nippon Professional Baseball. He is best known for his years with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In 2001, Kim took over mid-season as the Diamondbacks' closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
and saved 19 games, then saved 3 games while giving up no runs in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the 2001 World Series
2001 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 27, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, ArizonaArizona showed no fear and chased Yankees starter Mike Mussina after just three innings. The Yankees gave up five unearned runs and the Diamondbacks rode Curt Schilling's seven strong innings to a 9–1 rout...
, however, Kim twice gave up ninth-inning leads, taking the loss in Game 4 and leading to an extra-innings loss for the Diamondbacks in Game 5, though the Diamondbacks rebounded to win the Championship in 7 games. Kim went on to save 36 games for the Diamondbacks in 2002 and 16 for the Red Sox in 2003, and played in the 2002 All Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
.
Kim has also played for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
and Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Early career
Kim is a 1997 graduate of Gwangju-Jeil High School. Jae Seo and Hee-seop ChoiHee-Seop Choi
Hee-Seop Choi is a professional baseball player who has played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a first baseman who bats and throws left-handed. Choi currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the South Korean pro baseball league.-Amateur career:Choi...
were Kim's teammates in 1996 and they are very close friends. Named both the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
and Most Valuable Pitcher for the National High School championships in Korea
Korean Baseball Organization
Korea Professional Baseball is the highest level league of baseball in South Korea. The Korean romanization is Hanguk Peuro Yagu , a league title which mirrors Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Korea Professional Baseball was originally founded with six teams in 1982 and currently has eight...
, Kim was selected to the 1996 National Junior Team, then named to the National Team in both 1997 and 1998. In that year, he pitched against the US Olympic
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
team, striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
15 batters in 6 2/3 innings. Later, he helped Korea claim the gold medal in the Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
held in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Kim attended Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University is a private university in Seoul and Suwon, South Korea. The university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Myeongnyun Dong, Jongno-gu in central Seoul, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Cheoncheon Dong, Jangan Gu, Suwon...
's Faculty of Law until 1999.
1999 season
Kim was signed by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
on February 19, 1999. Kim went 2-0 with 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings in El Paso (AA) and then went to Tucson Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
(AAA), where he posted 2-0 with 21 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. His ability to strike out batters caught the attention of Diamondbacks coaching staff. He was the youngest player in MLB at the time he debuted on May 29 at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
. He came in to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, and after retiring Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Antonio Alfonzo a.k.a. "Fonzie" is a former Major League Baseball infielder who most recently played for the Yomiuri Giants. He bats and throws right-handed, and is tall and weighs...
and John Olerud
John Olerud
John Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox ....
, struck out Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
and got the save
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in the Diamondbacks' 8-7 victory over the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
2000 season
In the season, Kim got the closerCloser (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
role when incumbent Matt Mantei
Matt Mantei
Matthew Bruce Mantei [MAN-tie] is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. In his career, Mantei played with the Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
opened the season on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. For the year, Kim struck out 111 hitters in just 70.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(14.14 per nine innings), including 11 out of 12 batters over five games, and twice struck out eight consecutive batters. After his 14 saves and a 1.82 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
over his first 28 appearances, he was demoted to Triple-A Tucson
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
at the end of July. Mostly used as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
to restore his confidence, Kim returned to Arizona a month later. With Mantei reinserted as the closer, Kim pitched as a setup
Setup pitcher
In baseball, a setup pitcher is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. They commonly pitch the 7th and/or 8th innings, with the closer pitching the 9th....
man and also started a game after recording 84 relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
appearances.
2001 season and the road to the World Series
Arizona turned to Kim again as a closer after Mantei was lost to injury for the remaining season. Kim responded with 19 saves, a 2.94 ERA, and 113 strikeouts in 98 innings.He made his first career postseason appearance in the NLDS
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
Game 3 at the Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
to protect the Diamondbacks’ 5-3 lead against the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
with the go-ahead run at the plate in the 8th inning. After a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
to Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
that loaded the bases, Kim ended the inning with a center-field flyout. In the 9th inning, Kim saved the game with the game-ending double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
off Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
's bat.
In the NLCS
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
against the Atlanta Braves, Kim worked a scoreless inning in Game 2, in which the Diamondbacks lost. Kim then saved Games 4 and 5 for the Diamondbacks. Kim entered Game 4 with the bases loaded with no out in the 8th inning to save the Diamondbacks’ 7-3 lead. Kim shut out this inning with a double play and a lineout. He then retired the next three batters in the 9th inning and saved the game. The next night, Kim pitched another two shutout innings and saved the game that clinched the Diamondbacks’ ticket to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. Kim became the first pitcher since Goose Gossage
Goose Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
to earn two-inning saves on back-to-back days in the postseason. In the 2004 postseason, Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
closer Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
matched Gossage and Kim's feat.
With the Diamondbacks up two games to one going into Game 4 of the World Series, Kim relieved Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
in the eighth inning with the Diamondbacks leading 3-1. Kim struck out Shane Spencer
Shane Spencer
Michael Shane Spencer is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. In Major League Baseball, he played a total of 538 games for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets, compiling 438 hits, 59 home runs, and 242 RBI...
, Scott Brosius
Scott Brosius
Scott David Brosius is a former Major League Baseball third baseman for the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees . Brosius is currently the head baseball coach at Linfield College, his alma mater....
, Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....
, and Bernie Williams
Bernie Williams
Bernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and Puerto Rican musician.-Early life:...
and grounded out Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
. But Paul O'Neill hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
off Kim before Williams' plate appearance and Tino Martinez
Tino Martinez
Constantino "Tino" Martinez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman.Martinez was the first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners in out of the University of Tampa where he starred during his time on campus. He began his Major League career in and has played for the Mariners, New...
's two-out, two-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. With another home run hit off Kim by Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
in the bottom of the tenth, the Yankees won the game and tied the Series. Kim threw more than 60 pitches and was charged with the loss. The night after, in Game 5, Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly
Bob Brenly
Robert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
sent Kim again to the mound to protect the Diamondbacks' 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
hit a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
off Kim, but Kim grounded out Shane Spencer
Shane Spencer
Michael Shane Spencer is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. In Major League Baseball, he played a total of 538 games for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets, compiling 438 hits, 59 home runs, and 242 RBI...
and struck out Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch
Edward Charles "Chuck" Knoblauch is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
. Scott Brosius then hit a two-run home run to tie the score. Later, Alfonso Soriano hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in the bottom of the 12th to win the game.
Despite Kim's performances in Games 4 and 5, the Diamondbacks clinched the World Series Championship in Game 7 at Bank One Ballpark.
Kim later revealed in an interview how he felt during the 2001 World Series. "We went through the whole season, 25 guys and then the coaching staff. That time it was like old people. They said, 'OK, we got last chance.'Some people said if we don't win, next year everybody's gone." Kim continued, "Then I gave up a home run. I didn't feel good. But we won."
2002 season
In , Kim set a single-season franchise record for saves (36), breaking the old mark set by Gregg OlsonGregg Olson
Greggory Olson is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played with the Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , Kansas City Royals , Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Minnesota Twins , Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers...
in (30). Kim finished the season with an 8-3 record, 92 strikeouts, and a career-best 2.04 ERA in a team-high 72 appearances. On May 11, 2002, Kim struck out Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
, Mike Lieberthal
Mike Lieberthal
Michael Scott "Mike" Lieberthal , nicknamed Lieby, is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
, and Pat Burrell
Pat Burrell
Patrick Brian "Pat" Burrell , nicknamed "Pat the Bat," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
on nine pitches in the eighth inning of a ten-inning 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Kim became the 23rd National League pitcher and the 32nd pitcher in Major League history to pitch an immaculate inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
.
On June 12, 2002, Kim pitched two shut-out innings with four strikeouts and saved the Diamondbacks' 9-5 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
In 2002, Kim converted 36 of 42 save opportunities, eighth-best in the NL. Kim was selected for the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
.
2003-2004 seasons
When Matt ManteiMatt Mantei
Matthew Bruce Mantei [MAN-tie] is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. In his career, Mantei played with the Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
returned from the disabled list and became the Arizona Diamondbacks' closer, Kim joined the starting rotation. As a Diamondbacks starter, he compiled a record of 1-5 with a 3.56 ERA. On May 29, Kim was traded to Boston for Shea Hillenbrand
Shea Hillenbrand
Shea Matthew Hillenbrand is a professional baseball player who last played for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League....
. Kim remained as a starter through June, but the Red Sox needed him as their closer because the Red Sox's closer-by-committee approach implemented following the advice of statistician and Red Sox adviser Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
was failing. On June 27, Kim made his final start for the 2003 season in Boston's 25-8 win against the Florida Marlins at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
Kim became the Red Sox closer in July, converting 16 out of 19 save opportunities despite pitching through lingering ankle and shoulder pain caused by the injury he sustained in April. Although he did not give up an earned run in September, by the time the postseason started Kim was not healthy enough to be effective on the pitching mound.
Kim was pulled in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs in his only ALDS
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
appearance in Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. During the lineup announcement in Game 3 at Fenway Park, Red Sox fans intensely booed him. Thinking that he did not deserve the booing after he pitched despite being in pain to advance the Red Sox to the postseason, Kim gave them the middle finger, but later issued an apology. Because of shoulder stiffness, Kim was left off the ALCS roster.
As a starter, Kim went 3-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 12 appearances in . In the beginning of 2004, however, problems with his balance—a lingering effect of the 2003 ankle injury—made him ineffective and cost him a spot in the starting rotation after going 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA in three starts. Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Anthony Arroyo , is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and an aspiring musician. He has previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002 and Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005...
took Kim's starting rotation spot and Kim was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
in May. Kim rejoined the Red Sox in September. He was assigned to the bullpen and won one game in 5⅔ innings of work.
Kim briefly became a subject of talks between high-ranking U.S. and South Korean diplomats in August 2004. Upon his arrival in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
as the new U.S. Ambassador to Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
in August 2004, Christopher R. Hill
Christopher R. Hill
Christopher Robert Hill is an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.On July 1, 2010, Hill was chosen to be the dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver...
spoke with his Korean diplomatic counterparts about Kim and the Red Sox, along with the U.S.-Korea relationship and other diplomatic and geopolitical issues surrounding the Korean peninsula. Ambassador Hill is one of the high-ranking "Red Sox fan" diplomats in the predominantly Red-Sox U.S. Department of State and watched the Red Sox win the World Series while stationed in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
2005 season
Before the 2005 season, the Red Sox sent Kim to the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, with general manager Theo Epstein
Theo Epstein
Theo Nathan Epstein is the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs.On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball when the Boston Red Sox hired him at the age of 28...
calling the two-year deal given to him in 2004 "a mistake." Kim was traded for left-handed pitcher Chris Narveson
Chris Narveson
Christopher Gregg Narveson is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He won a World Series Championship in his rookie year as a brief member of the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals...
, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, and catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Charles Johnson, who was immediately designated for assignment and released. As part of the trade, Colorado sent Boston $2.6 million to equalize the salaries.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle
Clint Hurdle
Clinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose 10-year career was spent with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. After retiring from playing baseball, Hurdle became a manager...
gave Kim the choice of taking a spot in the bullpen (Kim posted 0-3 with 7.84 ERA as a middle reliever for the Rockies that season) or a starter position in the Rockies' Triple-A team Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
. Just 20 minutes later, Hurdle was told that that Rockies starter Shawn Chacon
Shawn Chacón
Shawn Anthony Chacón is a Major League pitcher, currently a free agent. He last played in the Majors for the Houston Astros...
was injured and had to go to the disabled list, opening a spot in the Rockies starting rotation for Kim.
On August 8, Sunny Kim, another South Korean starting pitcher who had just joined the Rockies from the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and Kim started doubleheader games at Coors Field against the Florida Marlins. They became the first two pitchers with same last name to start both ends of doubleheader since Gaylord
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
and Jim Perry
Jim Perry (baseball)
James Evan Perry, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for 1959-1975 for four different teams. During a 17-year baseball career, Perry compiled 215 wins, 1,576 strikeouts, and a 3.45 earned run average....
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in 1974. The Rockies won both games and Kim collected a win.
Kim finished the season 5-9 with a 4.37 ERA as a starter. He filed for free agency on November 1, 2005 and re-signed with the Rockies. He earned $1.25 million in 2006 with a club option worth $2.5 million in 2007 (with a $250,000 buyout).
World Baseball Classic
Kim represented Korea in the World Baseball ClassicWorld Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
, a tournament held during spring training before the 2006 season. Kim was credited with solid shutout middle relief performances during the tournament in Korea's wins against Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in the first round and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. in the second round. Kim collected a relief-win against Japan in the second round. In the semifinal game against Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Kim relieved Byung-doo Jun in the 7th inning and then allowed a two-run home run to Kosuke Fukudome
Kosuke Fukudome
is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder.Prior to arriving in the United States, Fukudome played nine seasons for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League...
. Korea lost the semifinal game and finished third in the tournament.
2006 season
Kim began the 2006 campaign with the Colorado Rockies on the disabled list. Upon his successful rehabilitation, he made his season debut on April 30, 2006, against the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in Miami. Kim pitched impressively, giving up only one run on five hits while striking out nine batters. Kim established himself in the Rockies starting rotation for the season.
On May 22, 2006, Kim and his former high school teammate and then-Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
' starter Jae Seo started against each other. This game was the first game in which two Korean pitchers started against each other in the Major League history. Both pitchers had quality starts, with Seo getting the win.
On May 28, Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
hit his 715th home run off Kim at SBC Park and surpassed Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
's 714 career home runs and put himself in sole possession of second place on the all-time career home runs list. After a three-minute delay, Kim struck out the next two batters and pitched 5 1/3 innings to collect a win.
On July 28, 2006, Kim had five consecutive strikeouts against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, tying the Rockies record for consecutive strikeouts. In four different starts, he recorded nine strikeouts each against the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. Kim became the only pitcher in Major League history to pitch shutout wins in consecutive starts at Coors Field by beating the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
on June 19 and the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on June 25.
2007 season
Kim began the season with the Colorado Rockies as a reliever after he lost his starting rotation spot to Josh FoggJosh Fogg
Joshua Smith Fogg is an American professional baseball player who has been a pitcher for nine Major League Baseball seasons. Fogg played college baseball for the University of Florida, and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft...
. The Rockies' decision to move Kim to the bullpen was controversial. Kim contended that he was not given a fair opportunity during Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
to compete for a starting spot and asked to be traded.
After a spot start on April 15, Kim was placed on the disabled list with an injured thumb. He was assigned to the Rockies' Triple-A team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
, for a rehab assignment. Kim was concerned that his rehab assignment was longer than necessary and changed his agent to Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
in an effort to get a quicker trade. On May 13, 2007, he was traded to the Florida Marlins for Jorge Julio
Jorge Julio
Jorge Dandys Julio Tapia is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles from 2001–2005, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, and the Florida Marlins in 2007 before being traded...
. As a Marlin, he proved himself as a dependable starter.
On August 1, Kim collected his 50th career win with a career-high ten strikeouts in his starting matchup against Colorado Rockies' Josh Fogg.
Two days later, Kim was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Kim's return to Arizona lasted two starts; the Diamondbacks designated him and Joe Kennedy for assignment on August 14. Shortly after Kim left the team, Diamondbacks closer Jose Valverde
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
broke Kim's franchise single-season save record.
On August 25, 2007, the Florida Marlins re-signed Kim as a free agent.
On September 28, Kim collected his tenth win of the season against the Mets at Shea Stadium and became the second South Korean pitcher after Chan Ho Park to win ten games in a Major League season.
2008 season
On February 24, 2008, Kim signed a contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. The Pirates had planned to use Kim exclusively in the bullpen. Kim made his first spring training appearance on March 10, 2008. After a disappointing spring training performance, Kim was released by the Pirates on March 25.
2010 season
On February 1, 2010, Kim agreed to a minor league contract with the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
On March 20, 2010, the Giants granted him his release after he appeared in just one minor league game.
Kim later played with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
in 2010.
2011 season
On January 25, Kim signed a one-year deal with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden EaglesTohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
The is a baseball team founded in 2004; it played its first season in the Japanese Pacific League in 2005. It is simply called Rakuten . The team was created to fill the void left by the merger of the Orix Blue Wave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, after the 2004 season due to financial difficulties,...
of the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Pacific League
Pacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
.
Pitching style
Usually described as a submarineSubmarine (baseball)
In baseball, a submarine pitch is one in which the ball is released underhand and just above the ground, with the torso bent at a right angle and shoulders tilted so severely that they rotate around a nearly horizontal axis...
pitcher, Kim is a side-arm and under-arm hard thrower who uses a great variety of deliveries. Kim possesses a four-seam fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
with tailing movement frequently hitting the low 90's, a Frisbee slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
with sweeping motion across the plate, an up-shoot slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
with a rising motion, and a circle-changeup
Circle changeup
In baseball, a circle changeup is a pitch thrown with a grip that includes a circle formation, hence the name. The circle is formed by making a circle with the index finger, holding the thumb at the bottom of the ball parallel to the middle finger and holding the ball far out in the hand...
which he usually uses to strike out left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
hitters. Nevertheless, during the three seasons between and , his main problem had been the loss of right pitching balance which caused difficulty in ball control and reduced ball velocity. During that time, he also struggled against left-handed batters.
Career highlights
- A-Award, Arena KoreaArena (magazine)Arena was a British monthly men's magazine. The magazine was created in 1986 by Nick Logan, who had started The Face in 1980, to focus on trends in fashion and entertainment. British graphic designer Neville Brody, who had designed The Face, designed Arena's launch appearance.The magazine featured...
and Audi KoreaAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
, 2007 - 1-time World Baseball Classic (in Japan and the United States of America) 3rd place (2006 Republic of Korea)
- World Series Champion (2001 Arizona Diamondbacks)
- 1-time All-Star (2002 National League)
Personal
Kim owns a Japanese restaurant named Umi Sushi Restaurant in San Diego.See also
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- Pitchers who have struck out three batters on nine pitches
External links
- Rotoworld (fantasy stats and news snippets)