Samsung Lions designated hitter Yang Joon-hyuk hits a solo homer off Hanwha Eagles starter Ahn Young-myung in the first inning of a baseball game in Daegu, Tuesday. Smacking No. 340 of his 17-year career, Yang tied with retired Hanwha Eagles great Jang Jong-hoon for the most home run.

After uncoiling his ``unique'' big swing and staring his shot over the right fence, Samsung Lions veteran batter Yang Joon-hyuk headed to first base.

While he was doing a lap around the ballpark, Daegu baseball fans were chanting his name, celebrating the solo home run, which tied him with retired Jang Jong-hoon for the all-time home record of 340.

That was the main talking point from the ballgame even though the home side fell to the Hanwha Eagles 7-5 on Tuesday night.

The 39-year-old sent a 140-kph fastball on a 2-2 count from Eagle right-hander Ahn Young-myung into the right-field seats in the first inning.

It had been seven months since the 17-year pro hit his No. 339 in the 2008 season, when he battled an ankle injury.

``It is my honor to share the record with Jang,'' Yang said.

Former Eagles great Jang, who now works as a batting coach for the Eagles' second-tier team, hit No. 300 in October 2000.

``I want to break the record as soon as possible, but it is not easy," Yang continued.

``Once I eclipse the mark, I think I will be able to play without any anxiety.''

The number has come after 8,333 plate appearances in 1,997 games.

``A total of 341 in the 28-year history of the Korean league is not a big number. Assuming that I will play until I am 45, I put 450 on target,'' he said.

The left-swinger made his debut in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in 1993 with the Lions and popped his first career homer against the Haitai Tigers, a predecessor of the Kia Tigers, in his third game.

He joined Jang and Lee Seung-yeop ― who had 324 before leaving for Japan ― in the 300-homer club in May 2006. Retired slugger Shim Chong-soo, who reached the mark in May 2007, is the other to hit 300 homers (328).

With his power stroke combined with accuracy, Yang, whose career batting average is .313, has produced a triple-digit hit since his debut, while his double-figure home run streak ended at 15 last season due to the injury.

Alongside home runs, Yang, who stands 1.88 meters tall and weighs 95 kilograms, put his name on top in seven categories: hits (2,207), doubles (437), total bases (3,714), RBIs (1,323), walks (1,286), at-bats (6,962) and runs (1,241).

In Major League Baseball, Barry Bonds has 762 homers, while the Japanese record belongs to Sadaharu Oh, who smacked 868.


article date: April 15, 2009
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr