Jung Bong Explained

Bong Jung-keun
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:1980 7, mf=yes
Birth Place:Seoul, South Korea
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutyear:2002
Debutdate:April 23
Debutteam:Atlanta Braves
Finalleague:MLB
Finalyear:2004
Finaldate:June 20
Finalteam:Cincinnati Reds
Debut2league:KBO
Debut2date:April 11
Debut2year:2007
Debut2team:LG Twins
Final2league:KBO
Final2year:2016
Final2date:October 4
Final2team:LG Twins
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:7–4
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.17
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:62
Stat2league:KBO
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:55–46
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:3.41
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:654
Stat24label:Saves
Stat24value:109
Awards:
Teams:
Hangul:봉중근
Hanja:奉重根
Rr:Bong Jung-geun
Mr:Pong Chung-gŭn

Bong Jung-keun (; pronounced as /ko/ or pronounced as /ko/ pronounced as /ko/; born July 15, 1980) is a South Korean former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball with the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, and in the KBO League with the LG Twins. He batted and threw left-handed.

Career

Amateur

Bong is often considered one of the greatest hitting pitchers in Korean high school baseball history. While attending Shinil High School in Seoul, he was a highly regarded five-tool player and control pitcher in the Korean High School baseball league, playing as the team's 3rd batter and No.1 starter.[1]

In September, as a freshman at Shinil High School, Bong was named the Best Pitcher in the 50th Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Championship, taking 4 of the team's 5 wins. As the team's leadoff hitter, he batted .353 with 6 hits in 17 at-bats.[2]

In May, Bong led his team to its national title at the 52nd Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship, going 11-for-16 with 9 RBIs as a batter and racking up 3 wins as a starting pitcher. He won batting (.688), RBI and wins titles, and was unanimously named the tournament MVP.[2]

In September, Bong helped his team to capture another national title at the 51st Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Championship. He was named Best Pitcher, earning 4 out of the team's 5 wins as a utility pitcher. As a batter, Bong finished runner-up in batting (.571, 8-for-14) and won the stolen bases title.[2]

International

In August, Bong competed for the South Korea national junior baseball team in the World Junior Baseball Championship held in Moncton, Canada. In the round robin phase, he went 15-for-25 with 11 RBIs and 13 runs, and hit home runs in 4 consecutive games, playing in 5 preliminary games as a center fielder and relief pitcher. South Korea was eliminated by USA 7–0 in the quarterfinals, but Bong additionally accumulated 3 hits and 3 RBIs in the 5th–8th classification games. He finished the tournament with a .500 batting average (18-for-36), 14 RBIs and 4 home runs, and was named the tournament MVP. He also won the home run title and was selected to the All-Star team as an outfielder as well.[2]

Bong also helped Korea to the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.[3]

Bong also appeared in the 2009 World Baseball Classic against Japan as a starter, allowing 3 hits and scoring 2 strikeouts in 5 innings for a 1–0 victory.[3]

Notable international careers

YearVenueCompetitionTeamIndividual Note
1997World Junior Baseball Championship5th.500 BA (18-for-36), 4 HR, 14 RBI
MVP, All-Star (OF), HR title
2006World Baseball Classic0–0, 0.00 ERA (3 G, 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 K)
2008Olympic Games0–0, 8.31 ERA (2 G, 8.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 K)
2009World Baseball Classic2–0, 0.51 ERA (4 G, 17.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K)
All-Star (P)
Asian Games0–0, 0.00 ERA (1 G, 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 K)

Major League Baseball career

Bong began his career with the Braves, signing with the team in 1998 while still in High school for a bonus of $1.7 million. Bong made his major league debut in pitching 6 innings in one game.[3] The next year, he was moved to the bullpen and pitched in 44 games, winning six and losing two, and recorded his first save.[3] With the Reds in, he pitched 15 innings, winning one game and losing one. He missed the whole season due to shoulder surgery, and the Reds outrighted him to Triple-A Louisville after the season.[3]

KBO League career

The Reds released him on May 12, 2006; he returned to Korea to continue his career.[4]

In, with the LG Twins, Bong had a 2.66 ERA and 140 strikeouts.[1]

Bong retired from professional baseball on September 19, 2018, after 12 years playing for the LG Twins.[5]

Personal records

YearTeamGGSWLSVHCGShOIPHHRBBKRERERA
ATL110100006.08024557.50
44062120057.0568314732325.05
CIN3311000015.117310111384.70
LG2422670000111.21216605671665.32
28281180000186.1153138014066552.66
262611120000172.1160137112770633.29
28281090000178.1166138313074713.58
4412000016.1131147994.96
400012600038.02611436551.18
550813800061.044217541091.33
500243000049.2512174516162.90
472511500049.16010233928274.93
19510020036.1414222023204.95
TOTAL2761196249110400976.2916764447164223863.95

Filmography

Television shows

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ex-MLB pitcher Bong Jung-keun announces retirement . . September 19, 2018 . February 25, 2021.
  2. Web site: Retiring pitcher has no regrets after sacrificing for club . . September 28, 2018 . February 25, 2021.
  3. Web site: Atlanta Braves: Jung Bong calls it a career. September 20, 2018.
  4. Web site: Jung-Keun Bong on KFFL.
  5. Web site: Ex-MLB pitcher Bong Jung-keun announces retirement. September 19, 2018.
  6. Web site: 봉중근, 일본 톱타자 이치로에 굴욕 안긴 과거 재조명 (‘빽 투 더 그라운드’). Cha Hye-young. Bong Joong-geun re-examines the past when Japan's top hitter Ichiro was humiliated ('Back to the Ground'). Ten Asia. Naver. May 11, 2022. May 11, 2022. ko.