SK Wyverns outfielder Park Jae-hong, right, steals second base during the second inning against the Lotte Giants on Thursday in Incheon. After adding one steal, Park joined the 250 (home run)-250 (steal) club, the first time the landmark has been reached in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history. He has now produced 277 homers with 250 steals.

SK Wyverns veteran outfielder Park Jae-hong became the first Korean player to join the club of those who have recorded over 250 home runs and 250 steals during a 8-2 home win on Thursday.

Park, who was named in the starting lineup as a centerfielder with at-bat fifth, stole second base in the second inning after he went to first with a single against the Lotte Giants.

As Giants starter Cho Jung-hoon threw his third pitch against Choi Jeong of the Wyverns, Park ran to second base. Giants catcher Kang Min-ho tried to throw to second but he dropped the ball from his glove.

It was also a historical day for the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) because the 35-year-old veteran has now recorded 277 homers with 250 steals.

Park, who stole the base for the first time against the LG Twins on April 13 in his debut year in 1996, marked his first home run in the KBO three days later against the Hanwha Eagles.

The fast and powerful batter Park, who joined the 30 (home run)-30 (steal) club in his debut year with 30 dingers and 36 steals, made the club two times more in 1998 and 2000 with 30 homers and 43 steals and then 32 and 30. He is the only player to have made the 30-30 club three times.

To make the 250-250 club is also rare, even in Major League Baseball (MLB). Though former Major Leaguer Barry Bonds made the 500 (home run)-500 (steal) club, only 19 players have joined the MLB 250-250 club, the last one being Alfonso Soriano of the Chicago Cubs.

In Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), only four ― including legend Jang Hoon ― have secured the honor.

Giants Cho Sung-hwan Injuries Face

Lotte Giants captain Cho Sung-hwan had his cheekbone broken by a SK Wyverns reliever Chae Byeong-yong pitch.

In the eighth inning, Chae's sixth pitch struck the 32-year-old and he underwent surgery yesterday.

It is expected to take almost two or three months for him to fully recover.

Chae apologized to the Giants fans and dugout with a nod by taking his cap off.

He also went to the hospital with the Wyverns coach Lee Man-soo to visit Cho after the game and apologized again.

``It's fine. Sometimes it happens during the game. I hope Chae does not have his tail between his legs,'' Cho said.

Chae added, ``I am really worried because Cho's injury is more severe than I expected. I don't know why the ball went to his face. I am really sorry about that."

However, during the game the angered Giants reliever Kim Il-yeop pitched a hit to Park gave at the bottom of the eighth, which was suspected to be a mark of revenge.

Park then approached the mound, causing both dugouts to clash and suspending the game for about six minutes.


source: koreantimes.co.kr
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
yc@koreatimes.co.kr