In-Sik Kim returns to the helm of the Korean national baseball team in hopes of leading a similar run to the 2006 World Baseball Classic, where the Asians exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals. But Korea come into the tournament as reigning Olympic champions after knocking off Cuba in the gold medal game in Beijing.
Kim Replacing Beijing Gold Medalist Manager Kim
In-Sik Kim was a coach of the Korean side that beat Japan to win bronze at the 2000 Olympics and then led his nation to the 2002 Asian Games gold medal before guiding the Koreans to the semi-finals in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. But Kyung-moon Kim was manager of the Korean team that went undefeated in winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. But Kyung-moon Kim turned down the 2009 WBC job, leaving the door open for In-Sik Kim.
Defending Champion Japan In First Round Group
Korea will be facing defending WBC champion Japan, China and Chinese Taipei in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 5-9 in Tokyo. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Mexico City group consisting of Mexico, Cuba, Australia and South Africa
Pitching And Defense
Kim's pitching staff surrendered just 2.00 runs a game at the 2006 Classic and the manager is expected to once again use his basic pitching and defense approach. The leaders of Kim's pitching staff will likely be Byung-Hyun Kim, Jung Bong and former Major League hurler Jae Seo. Veteran Chan Ho Park has declined an invitation to play after having thrown 10 scoreless innings and collecting three saves for Korea at the 2006 Classic. But Park wants to focus on his MLB training camp with the World Series champions Philadelphia Phillies. A replacement in the closer role could be Chang-Yong Lim.
Notable Absences
Park is not the only notable name missing from Kim's 45-man preliminary roster, which must be cut to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by February 24. Also missing are Cha Seung Baek, Hee Seop Choi, Jae Kuk Ryu, Sun Woo Kim and Hye Chun Lee. Another big name likely to sit out the Classic is first baseman Seung Yeop Lee, who had five home runs and 10 RBIs in 2006 and won 2008 Olympic gold but intends to focus on his 2009 club season.
Choo Main Leader On Offense
In-Sik Kim's offense will likely be led by Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin Soo Choo, has blossomed into a force at the plate with a .309 average with 14 homers and 66 RBIs in 94 games in 2008. Other top performers could be infielder Bum Ho Lee and outfielder Byung Kyu Lee.
Korea's 24-Man Roster
Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date
PITCHERS
Jung Bong, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 215lbs (98kg), 07/15/1980
Taehyon Chong, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 215lbs (98kg), 11/10/1978
Doo Sung Hwang, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 205lbs (93kg), 11/16/1976
Wonsam Jang, L/L, 5'11" (180cm), 160lbs (73kg), 06/09/1983
Hyun Wook Jong, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 185lbs (84kg), 12/02/1978
Kwang Hyun Kim, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 185lbs (84kg), 07/02/1988
Jae Woo Lee, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 180lbs (82kg), 02/09/1980
Seung Ho Lee, L/L, 5'9" (175cm), 180lbs (82kg), 09/09/1981
Chang Yong Lim, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 175lbs (79kg), 06/04/1976
Seung Hwan Oh, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 205lbs (93kg), 07/15/1982
Hyunjin Ryu, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 215lbs (98kg), 03/25/1987
Min Han Son, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 01/02/1975
Suk-Min Yoon, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 180lbs (82kg), 07/24/1986
CATCHERS
Min Ho Kang, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 195lbs (88kg), 08/18/1985
Kyung Oan Park, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 195lbs (88kg), 07/11/1972
INFIELDERS
Jeong Choi, S/R, 5'11" (180cm), 185lbs (84kg), 02/28/1987
Keun Woo Jeong, R/R, 5'8" (173cm), 165lbs (75kg), 10/02/1982
Tae Kyun Kim, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 220lbs (100kg), 05/29/1982
Young Min Ko, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 160lbs (73kg), 02/08/1984
Bum Ho Lee, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 11/25/1981
Dae Ho Lee, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 220lbs (100kg), 06/21/1982
Ki Hyuk Park, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 160lbs (73kg), 06/04/1981
OUTFIELDERS
Shin-Soo Choo, L/L, 5'11" (180cm), 200lbs (91kg), 07/13/1982
Hyun Soo Kim, L/R, 6'2" (188cm), 210lbs (95kg), 01/02/1988
Jin Young Lee, L/L, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 06/15/1980
Jong Wook Lee, L/L, 5'9" (175cm), 170lbs (77kg), 06/18/1980
Taek Keun Lee, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 07/10/1980
Yong-Kyu Lee, L/L, 5'9" (175cm), 155lbs (70kg), 08/26/1985
