SSG Kim Kwang-hyun (35), who was suspended for disgraceful conduct for drinking during the World Baseball Classic (WBC), bowed his head as a sign of atonement before throwing out the first pitch in his comeback game.
Kim Kwang-hyun started the game against the NC Dinos at NC Park in Changwon on May 11. It was his first start in 22 days since May 20 against Sajik Lotte (six innings, one run, nine strikeouts).
Since then, Kim hasn’t been able to make a start. During the WBC in March of this year, Kim was accused of visiting a snack bar in Akasaka, Tokyo, where the national team was staying at the time. This sparked controversy when it was confirmed that he actually entered the bar twice during the tournament.
On the 7th, the KBO held a punishment committee and decided to punish Kim Kwang-hyun with 80 hours of community service and a sanction of 5 million won based on Article 151 [Impairment of Dignity] of the KBO Statutes, and Lee Yong-chan and Chung Chul-won with 40 hours of community service and a sanction of 3 million won, respectively, for visiting a bar twice during the tournament and impairing the dignity of the national team 메이저사이트.
It was a disgraceful end to a 15-year national team career. Following the controversy, Kim issued a statement apologizing and was removed from the first team roster on the first day. He was back on the mound today.
Before throwing the first pitch to leadoff hitter Seo Ho-cheol in the bottom of the first inning, Kim removed his hat and bowed to the fans on the NC side of first base, home plate, and third base. The 90-degree gesture was interpreted as an apology to the fans.
After the apology, Kim Kwang-hyun turned the first inning into a triple play. He got Seo Ho-cheol to ground out to second base, Kim Sung-wook to ground out to second base, and Park Geon-woo to fly out to left field to end the first inning of his comeback.