By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
For most baseball players, batting .400 is an unreachable dream. It's an accomplishment rarely seen in recent years that requires tremendous skill and consistency.
Only one player in the 27-year history of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has been able to maintain a .400 average over a full season and it's never been done in the 73-year-old Nippon Professional Baseball league.
In Major League Baseball, 28 players have hit better than .400, but none since Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, who hit .406 in 1941.
This year, three KBO players are chasing history.
Through Monday, Kim Hyun-soo of the Doosan Bears (.414), Jeong Keun-woo of the SK Wyverns (.412) and Roberto Petagine of the LG Twins (.412) are all on pace to become the league's first .400 hitters since Baek In-cheon hit .412 for the MBC Blue Dragons ― a predecessor of the Twins ― in the KBO's first year in 1982.
Just a little over a quarter of the way into the season (148 total games), the trio could find themselves in a historic batting race if they can maintain their averages deeper into the season.
In 1987, Jang Hyo-jo (.415) and Kim Yong-chul (.404) marked the first time that two batters hit better than .400 through the first 75 games.
Since then, the closest any player has come to .400 is Lee Jong-bum of the KIA Tigers, who hit .393, producing 196 hits ― the most hit in the KBO history in 1993.
Kim and Jeong could also become the first to record 200 hits in a single season. Through 35 and 38 games they have 53 and 61 hits, respectively. KBO teams play 133 matches this season, seven more than last year.
The three big hitters have power as well as contact ability, and baseball fans expect them to set the new milestone.
Beijing Olympics golden boy Kim has shown that he can hit anything with his flexible and smooth swing but he has also proven to be patient and selective. The 20-year-old Bears hitter is fifth in the KBO with 24 walks.
Jeong, who was also a gold medallist, has shined with his speed and ascendancy and has taken advantage of his role as the Wyverns leadoff hitter.
Twins veteran import Petagine, who also ranks second in the home run race with 11 dingers, has feasted on opposing pitchers with his power and batting technique.
Not surprisingly, 2009 has been a terrible season for KBO pitchers. The league-wide ERA of 4.63 is not far behind the worst-ever league ERA of 4.71 set back in 2001.
Former Major Leaguer Choi Hee-seop is also chasing a milestone. With 13 homers in 38 games, Choi could break the 50-mark for the first time since 2003.
Lee Seung-yeop of then the Samsung Lions hit 54 in 1999 and 56 in 2003. And Shim Jung-soo of the Hyundai Unicorns ― a predecessor of the Heroes ―, then Lee's archival rival, also hit 53 in 2003.
Choi will need to pick up the pace if he hopes to break 50. So far, he has hit one long ball every 2.92 games. If he maintains that pace through the full 133-game season, the 30-year-old lefty swinger will finish with 45 home runs.
``His bat is fired up,'' said Korea Business Baseball Federation (KBBF) chief Park Young-kil, who began training Choi late last year.
``First of all, he's got enough confidence, and as he becomes bold he didn't make haste to produce a hit.
``In addition, since he lost more than 10 kilograms, his body condition is excellent. He has also avoided injury. That part is very inspired,'' added Park
``He is still late to deal with the fastball, however his timing for breaking ball is really good. And his impact power is unbelievable.'' Park said.
Choi could also benefit from being pushed by a couple of rivals, just as Lee Seung-yeop did with Shim when he set the Asian record in 2003.
Twins veteran Petagine has 11 homers and Lee Bum-ho of the Hanwha Eagles and Cliff Brumbaugh of the Heroes each have 10.
``Choi can hit at least 40 home runs, and it is possible to aim for more than 50,'' KBBF chief Park said.
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