Doosan Bears outfielder Lee Jong-wook collides with second baseman Kim Jae-ho, standing, while trying to catch a fly ball in the eighth inning of a game against the Kia Tigers in Gwangju, Tuesday. Lee suffered a broken chin and may miss the rest of the season. / Yonhap |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
The Doosan Bears have lost golden boy Lee Jong-wook, who may miss the rest of the regular season after a collision with a teammate on Tuesday.
The Beijing Olympic gold medalist suffered a broken chin and a cut on his neck after he collided with Bears second baseman Kim Jae-ho in a game against the Kia Tigers.
In the eighth inning, Lee and Kim collided as both were tracking a shallow fly ball as neither player called the other off. Lee's head connected with Kim's knee and Kim's spikes also hit his neck. Lee was left bleeding and unconscious and was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Lee will likely be sidelined for two to three months, which means the team's leadoff hitter may miss the rest of the regular season. Doctors will have a better idea of his recovery time after surgery.
The Bears beat the Tigers 9-3 but Bears manager Kim Kyung-moon went directly to the hospital after the game, skipping post-game interviews and high-fives with his players.
``Fortunately, no damage was done to his nervous system and the cut didn't hit an artery. And he hasn't shown any symptoms of a concussion,'' the Bears official told The Korea Times.
``Until Lee returns, our leadoff may be Jung Soo-bin, who played well in that role in May,'' added the Bears official.
Lee is just the latest Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) star to suffer a serious injury this season. Gold medalist leadoff Lee Yong-kyu of the Tigers is rehabbing a broken ankle suffered on April 7 and Lotte Giants captain Cho Sung-hwan broke a bone in his face when he was hit by pitch. In addition, Korean up-and-coming slugger Kim Tae-kyun of the Hanwha Eagles suffered a concussion after a collision at the plate with Bears catcher Choi Seung-hwan on April 26.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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