West Wins 1st All-Star Game in 6 Years
An Chi-hong Becomes Youngest MVP, Lee Dae-ho Wins All-Sttar Home Run Race
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporeter
The West snatched its first All-Star game triumph in six years and An Chi-hong of the Kia Tigers was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
At Gwangju Stadium, hosting its first All-Star game in 11 years, An smashed a two-run shot over the left field fence off SK Wyverns pitcher Ko Hyo-jun to give the home side a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning. An was the starting second baseman for the West team, composed of players from the Tigers, the Hanwha Eagles, the Heroes and the LG Twins.
The West stars punished the East's pitching with 13 hits, including another two-run home run by Hwang Jae-kyun of the Heroes in the seventh for a 7-3 victory as the Kim In-sik-managed team ended East's string of five consecutive All-Star wins.
At the age of 19 years and 23 days, An became the youngest All-Star game MVP and the youngest player to hit a home run in the game. He's also the first player to go directly from high school to the KBO to win the award. He garnered 36 of 67 votes for the award, beating Tigers veteran Lee Jong-bum, who went 3-for-4 and earned 27 votes.
Lee Seung-yeop of the Yomiuri Giants, who hit a home run at the age of 20 years, 10 months and 20 days, was the previous record holder.
An took home the trophy and a car valued at 25 million won.
``I just wanted to do my best in the All-Star game. The MVP award is too big for me. I really appreciate the fans,'' An said.
``I'm not thinking about the rookie award right now. The only thing I'm concerned with is doing better in the second half and helping my team win games."
An has been one of the best rookies this season, along with Lee Yong-chan and Hong Sang-sam of the Bears. The second baseman is batting just .243 but he has hit for power, with 12 home runs so far. It's the first time since Kim Tae-kyun of the Eagles had 20 long balls in 2001 that a rookie has hit more than 10 in the regular season.
Following An's blast, the West followed up with two more runs off four consecutive hits to take a 5-0 lead. The East's Hong Sung-heon responded with an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth and Choi Seung-hwan of the Bears hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh, but Hwang put the West ahead for good with a homer in the bottom of the inning.
In the home run derby, Lee Dae-ho of the Giants out-slugged Choi Hee-seop 5-1 in the final.
Lee hit six in the preliminary to advance to the final, and sent four of his five blasts out of the stadium. The Beijing Olympic golden boy received 3 million won as prize money.
The second half of the regular season starts from Tuesday.