Jang Won-Sam
Encyclopedia
Jang Won-Sam (born June 9, 1983 in Changwon
, Gyeongsangnam-do
, South Korea
) is a South Korea
n left-handed
starting pitcher
who plays for the Seoul Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization
.
, South Korea
, Jang was selected by the Hyundai Unicorns with the 89th pick in the 2nd round (97th overall) of the 2002 KBO
Draft. However, he entered Kyungsung University
upon graduation from high school instead of turning pro directly.
In 2004, as a junior at Kyungsung University Jang made his first appearance for the South Korea national baseball team at the 2nd World University Baseball Championship
in Tainan City, Taiwan
. There he led his team the bronze medal alongside Oh Seung-Hwan
and Jeong Keun-Woo
.
In 2005, Jang was selected for the South Korea national team again, and participated in the Baseball World Cup held in the Netherlands
. He helped the team win the silver medal, finishing 4th in strikeouts (24). He pitched an eight shutout inning victory over South Africa
in the preliminary round, and appeared in seven of South Korea's 11 games.
. In the 2006 KBO season, he finished runner-up to Ryu Hyun-Jin
for Rookie of the Year with 2nd in strikeouts (142), 5th in ERA (2.85) and 7th in wins (12), and was selected to the All-Star team. After the season, he was selected for the South Korea national team and competed in the 2006 Asian Games
held in Doha
, Qatar
.
During the 2007 season, he went 9-10 with 132 strikeouts in 168.2 innnings, finishing 10th in ERA (3.63).
In the 2008 season, Jang finished with a 12–8 record and a 2.85 ERA in 167.2 innings. He was 4th in wins, 5th in ERA and 4th in strikeouts (126). In August 2008, Jang competed for the South Korea national baseball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics
, where they won the gold medal in the baseball tournament. In the tournament, he pitched a 10-0 complete game
shutout
victory over the Netherlands
and tossed 4.1 innings of scoreless relief against China
.
In March 2009, Jang was called up to the South Korea national baseball team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
prior to the 2009 KBO season, but had a disappointing performance, pitching to a 5.06 ERA. In South Korea's second game in Round 1 against Japan
, Jang came on in relief in the 3rd inning but allowed 3 runs and 4 hits in 2.2 innings pitched. He started the Pool 1 title match against Japan in Round 2, but went only 3 innings allowing 2 runs and 5 hits including the solo home run by Seiichi Uchikawa
. Jang struggled the 2009 KBO season with a 5.54 ERA and a record of 4-8, by far the worst of his career.
with ₩3 billion won
($3 million dollars). He bounced back in the 2010 season to finish sixth in the league in ERA (3.46), seventh in wins (13) and eighth in strikeouts (115).
Changwon
Changwon is a city in and the capital of Gyeongsangnam-do in South Korea. Changwon city is 8th most populous city in South Korea, with a 2010 established population of 1,089,039. It encompasses a land area of on southeastern of South Korea. The population of Southeastern part of Korea, that...
, Gyeongsangnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
) is a South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who plays for the Seoul Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization
Korea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. KBO should not be confused with the Korea Professional Baseball League. KBO was founded in 1981 and has been governing two leagues, Korea Professional Baseball and Futures League since...
.
Amateur career
As a junior at Yongma High School in MasanMasan
Masan was a formerly a municipal city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The city was situated on Masan Bay , approximately 35 km west of Busan. It was known for its textile industry, and it was the site of Hite Brewery's production facilities.During the control of the Mongolians, the...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Jang was selected by the Hyundai Unicorns with the 89th pick in the 2nd round (97th overall) of the 2002 KBO
Korea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. KBO should not be confused with the Korea Professional Baseball League. KBO was founded in 1981 and has been governing two leagues, Korea Professional Baseball and Futures League since...
Draft. However, he entered Kyungsung University
Kyungsung University
Kyungsung University is a private university in Busan, South Korea. It is situated in the district of Nam-gu, southwest of the famous Haeundae beach...
upon graduation from high school instead of turning pro directly.
In 2004, as a junior at Kyungsung University Jang made his first appearance for the South Korea national baseball team at the 2nd World University Baseball Championship
World University Baseball Championship
The World University Baseball Championship is an under-23 international college baseball competition sponsored by the International University Sports Federation and sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 2002 in Italy...
in Tainan City, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. There he led his team the bronze medal alongside Oh Seung-Hwan
Oh Seung-Hwan
Oh Seung-Hwan is a relief pitcher who plays for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization. He is known as "Dol-bucheo" Oh Seung-Hwan (Hangul:오승환, Hanja: 吳昇桓) (born July 15, 1982 in Jeollabuk-do Jeongeup, South Korea) is a relief pitcher who plays for the Samsung Lions in the Korea...
and Jeong Keun-Woo
Jeong Keun-Woo
Jeong Keun-Woo is a second baseman and shortstop who currently plays for the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Amateur career:...
.
In 2005, Jang was selected for the South Korea national team again, and participated in the Baseball World Cup held in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He helped the team win the silver medal, finishing 4th in strikeouts (24). He pitched an eight shutout inning victory over South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in the preliminary round, and appeared in seven of South Korea's 11 games.
Notable international careers
| Year | Venue | Competition | Team | Individual Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | World University Baseball Championship World University Baseball Championship The World University Baseball Championship is an under-23 international college baseball competition sponsored by the International University Sports Federation and sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 2002 in Italy... |
 |
||
| 2005 | Asian Baseball Championship Asian Baseball Championship The Asian Baseball Championship is the main championship tournament between national baseball teams in Asia, governed by the Baseball Federation of Asia . It is held every other year in odd-numbered years and since 1983 it also functions as the qualification games for the Baseball at the Summer... |
4th | ||
| 2005 | Baseball World Cup 2005 Baseball World Cup The XXXVI Baseball World Cup took place in the Netherlands cities of Rotterdam, Haarlem, Almere, Amsterdam and Eindhoven September 2–17, 2005. Countries were split into two groups of nine, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.... |
 |
4th in strikeouts | |
Hyundai Unicorns & Heroes
Signed by the Hyundai Unicorns in 2006, Jang started his pro career as a starting pitcherStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. In the 2006 KBO season, he finished runner-up to Ryu Hyun-Jin
Ryu Hyun-Jin
Ryu Hyun-Jin is a South Korean left-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Amateur career:...
for Rookie of the Year with 2nd in strikeouts (142), 5th in ERA (2.85) and 7th in wins (12), and was selected to the All-Star team. After the season, he was selected for the South Korea national team and competed in the 2006 Asian Games
2006 Asian Games
The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event that was held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to December 15, 2006. Doha was the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia to host the games...
held in Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
.
During the 2007 season, he went 9-10 with 132 strikeouts in 168.2 innnings, finishing 10th in ERA (3.63).
In the 2008 season, Jang finished with a 12–8 record and a 2.85 ERA in 167.2 innings. He was 4th in wins, 5th in ERA and 4th in strikeouts (126). In August 2008, Jang competed for the South Korea national baseball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, where they won the gold medal in the baseball tournament. In the tournament, he pitched a 10-0 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
victory over the Netherlands
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
and tossed 4.1 innings of scoreless relief against China
China national baseball team
The China national baseball team is the national representative team of the People's Republic of China.-Olympic Games:China secured qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics automatically as host nation, giving the country its first Olympics berth....
.
In March 2009, Jang was called up to the South Korea national baseball team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
prior to the 2009 KBO season, but had a disappointing performance, pitching to a 5.06 ERA. In South Korea's second game in Round 1 against Japan
Japan national baseball team
The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009...
, Jang came on in relief in the 3rd inning but allowed 3 runs and 4 hits in 2.2 innings pitched. He started the Pool 1 title match against Japan in Round 2, but went only 3 innings allowing 2 runs and 5 hits including the solo home run by Seiichi Uchikawa
Seiichi Uchikawa
Seiichi Uchikawa is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He rose to prominence in 2008 with a league-leading .378 batting average...
. Jang struggled the 2009 KBO season with a 5.54 ERA and a record of 4-8, by far the worst of his career.
Samsung Lions
After the 2009 season, Jang was traded to the Samsung LionsSamsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
with ₩3 billion won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
($3 million dollars). He bounced back in the 2010 season to finish sixth in the league in ERA (3.46), seventh in wins (13) and eighth in strikeouts (115).
Notable international careers
| Year | Venue | Competition | Team | Individual Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Asian Games Baseball at the Asian Games Baseball has been an event at the Asian Games, since the Games in Hiroshima, Japan in 1994.-Medal table:-Medalists:-External links:*... |
|
1-0; 2.45 ERA (2 G, 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 K) | |
| 2007 | Asian Baseball Championship Asian Baseball Championship The Asian Baseball Championship is the main championship tournament between national baseball teams in Asia, governed by the Baseball Federation of Asia . It is held every other year in odd-numbered years and since 1983 it also functions as the qualification games for the Baseball at the Summer... |
|
1-0; 0.00 ERA (2 G, 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K) | |
| 2008 | Final Olympic Qualification Tournament | |
0-0; 1.80 ERA (2 G, 5 IP, 1 ER, 2 K) | |
| 2008 | Olympic Games |  |
1-0; 0.00 ERA (2 G, 12.1 IP, 0 ER, 11 K) | |
| 2009 | World Baseball Classic 2009 World Baseball Classic The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the... |
|
0-0; 5.06 ERA (2 G, 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 K) | |
External links
- Profile and stats on the KBO official site