8 Sluggers to Compete in Home Run Derby
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Eight South Korean sluggers will compete to become the biggest bopper in the All-Star Game home run derby Saturday in Gwangju.
The field will consist of Lee Bum-ho of the Hanwha Eagles, Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants, Kim Hyun-soo and Kim Dong-joo of the Doosan Bears, Choi Hee-seop of the Kia Tigers, Hwang Jae-kyun of Heroes, Park Yong-taik of the LG Twins and Kang Bong-kyu of the Samsung Lions.
Heroes' American heavy-hitter Cliff Brumbaugh, who leads the league with 24 home runs, will skip the derby due to back pain, while runner-up Roberto Petagine of the Twins, sitting at 21, is not eligible for the home run race after failing to make the All-Star roster.
Eagles third baseman Lee is favored to win the title after lofting 18 balls over the fence this season, and is tied with teammate Kim Tae-wan for most homers among local players.
Bears outfielder Kim Hyun-soo and Giants slugging corner infielder Lee, who have hit 17 long balls apiece, are the dark horse candidates in the contest.
Kim has a keen eye at the plate, batting .352 and Lee has driven in league-leading 73 RBIs.
Former champions Kim Dong-joo and Park will swing for the fences in the hopes of lifting the trophy again.
Since the derby began in 1993, Yang Joon-hyuk of the Lions and Park Jae-hong of the SK Wyverns have each won three times.
In the first round, eight participants will get seven outs and the top two players will advance to the final, where they will receive ten outs.
Any swing that is not a home run is considered an out.
Unlike the Major League Baseball (MLB) Home Run Derby, which takes place before the All-Star Game, the KBO derby will be held after the fifth inning of the All-Star Game.