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Kim Byung-Hyun`s Fabulous Postseason Debut

Posted October. 14, 2001 08:51,   

한국어

Just as Bible says ``Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.`` so it is with pitching career of Kim.

`Small Giant` Kim Byung-Hyun (22, Arizona Diamondbacks) made a ML postseason debut to record the first Korean`s save in the postseason. But the fans had to have been nervous at Kim`s first playoff appearance until the game-ending signal rang.

In division series game three with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Kim took the mound in 5-3 eighth inning with two outs and runners on the first and the second. Albert Pujols, a ML all-time rookie RBI record holder, was waiting for him.

Tensed a bit from the sudden outing, Kim brought a full-based crisis upon himself walking off Pujols with straight four balls. Next hitter was the fifth Edmonds who blasted a leading two-run homer in this game.

Conscious of the full-based situation, Kim threw a curve right into the strike zone with one ball, no strike. Edmonds swung acutely, but a center fielder caught the fly ball.

In the ninth, Kim did not start safely. As he allowed a walk to Edgar Renteria following a drag bunt of lead-off hitter Kerry Robinson, Kim faced another critical moment with no out and runners on the first and second. However, Kim struck out Mike Matheny at his three bunt attempt. As Matt Williams pulled off a double play at pinch hitter Mark McGwire`s bat, the game ended in a flash.

Until Mark Grace hand over the ball to him for memory of a save, Kim Byung-Hyun did not put on his characteristic smile. Thanks to Craig Counsell`s three-run homer turning the table in the seventh, the Arizona leads 2-1 in division series, just a win away from the NL Championship series.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves won 6-2 over the Houston Astros to advance the NL Championship series with three home runs of former Samsung Julio Franco, Chipper Jones, and Ray Sanchez.



Zang Hwan-Soo zangpabo@donga.com