In 2023, the 41st year of professional launch, Korean baseball faced the worst crisis.
At the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which was held for the 스포츠토토 first time in six years, the goal set by the Korean baseball team in the semifinals for the first time in 14 years was nothing but a mirage.
The national team, led by head coach Lee Kang-cheol, lost 4-13 to Japan in the second round of the first round of the WBC Group B finals held at the Tokyo Dome on the 10th.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, he barely escaped from the brink of losing a cold game and avoided the worst humiliation.
In the first round of this WBC, a called game is declared when there is a difference of 15 points at the end of the 5th inning and 10 points at the end of the 7th inning. Korea could have been the first team to lose a cold game in this tournament.
The Korean mound, which dedicated 8 points to Australia, which had to be held the previous day, gave 13 points and collapsed in vain.
With 21 earned runs in 17 innings, the team’s average ERA is 11.12, which is overwhelmingly last among the 10 countries in Groups A and B currently in the first round.
Even ‘last bastion’ Kim Gwang-hyeon (SSG Landers) started against Japan and gave 4 runs in 2 innings and fell short of expectations.
Coach Lee Kang-cheol’s wish for Kim Gwang-hyeon to throw a long inning with 65 balls was shattered without a doubt, and Korea gave up the lead in the game to Japan.
This is because there was virtually no pitcher who could be trusted and promoted after Kim Gwang-hyun.
Kim Yun-sik (LG Twins), who came out as the fifth pitcher, faced three batters and gave only three fours and gave them a hard hit. The ninth pitcher Lee Eui-ri (KIA Tigers) also gave up three walks while facing four batters.