Lim Chang-yong
Lim with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Pitcher
Born: (1976-06-04) June 4, 1976
Gwangju, South Korea
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
KBO: June 18, 1995, for the Haitai Tigers
NPB: March 28, 2008, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
MLB: September 7, 2013, for the Chicago Cubs
Last appearance
KBO: October 16, 2018, for the Kia Tigers
NPB: June 22, 2012, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
MLB: September 27, 2013, for the Chicago Cubs
KBO statistics
(through 2018)
Win–loss record130–86
Saves258
Earned run average3.45
Strikeouts1,474
NPB statistics
Win–loss record11–13
Saves128
Earned run average2.09
Strikeouts231
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average5.40
Strikeouts5
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  South Korea
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney Team
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place 2009 Los Angeles Team
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Incheon Team
Gold medal – first place 2002 Busan Team
Gold medal – first place 1998 Bangkok Team
Lim Chang-yong
Hangul
임창용
Hanja
林昌勇
Revised RomanizationIm Chang-yong
McCune–ReischauerRim Ch'ang-yong

Lim Chang-yong (Korean: 임창용; Hanja: 林昌勇; Korean pronunciation: [im.tɕʰaŋ.joŋ]; born June 4, 1976) is a former South Korean professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and KBO League baseball. In the KBO, Lim ranks among the top ten pitchers in terms of career wins, strikeouts, and saves.

Career

Lim is a 5 ft 11 in, 175 lb right-handed sidearm pitcher. He could throw a 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph) four-seam fastball, though the pitch usually sat at 93–95 mph (150–153 km/h).[1] His signature pitch was his two-seam fastball which, due to its unique tailing movement earned the nickname "Serpent fastball (Korean: 뱀직구)". His other pitches included a high 70s slider with a sharp horizontal break, a mid 80s forkball, and a rarely used 60 mph (97 km/h) slow-curveball. He was one of the few pitchers who could pitch in multiple pitching forms. Lim pitched primarily sidearm and underhand, but could pitch from the three-quarters motion at will.

KBO (1995–2007)

Haitai Tigers

Lim made his pro debut in 1995 with the Haitai Tigers in Korea Baseball Organization, and was regularly picked for the South Korean baseball team as a relief pitcher since the 1998 Asian Games, and won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and two Asian Game gold medals in 1998 and 2002.

Samsung Lions

Though predominantly known as a closer, Lim was converted to a starting pitcher in 2001, and spent three years as the Samsung Lions' starter before returning to the bullpen in 2004. There was interest from Major League squads, but Lim decided to stay in South Korea.

NPB (2008–2012)

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

In late 2007, Lim was signed by Japan's Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the hopes of bolstering their weak bullpen. In the 2008 NPB season, he recorded 33 saves (5th in the NPB league) with a 3.00 ERA in 51 innings pitched.

In the 2009 NPB season, he recorded a 0.00 ERA for a few months, earning his nickname "Mr.Zero", and was also featured in the 2009 NPB All-star Game as a closer for the Central League team. He was sent down to the reserve squad after his ERA rose to 1.84 in a short stint, but he was brought back to strengthen Yakult's weak bullpen, which was responsible for its recent losses.

Lim had his second Tommy John surgery in July 2012.

MLB (2013)

Chicago Cubs

After the 2012 season, Lim agreed to a contract with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.[2] The Cubs promoted Lim to the major leagues on September 4, 2013.[3] After the season, Lim was non-tendered by Chicago, becoming a free agent.[4] The Cubs re-signed him to a minor league contract. He was released on March 24, 2014.

KBO (2014–2018)

Second stint with Lions

After being released by the Cubs, Lim signed up with Samsung Lions of KBO League (South Korea). In 2014 season, he recorded 31 saves with 5.84 ERA. However, in 2015 season he showed better performance of 33 saves, 2.83 ERA.

Lim was released after 2015 season for illegal gambling.

Second stint with Tigers

Lim played with the Tigers for the second time in 2016–2018. On March 11, 2019, he announced his retirement.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chang Yong Lim Average Velocity by Pitch".
  2. ↑ "S. Korean pitcher Lim Chang-yong agrees to terms with Chicago Cubs". Yonhap. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Cubs select the contract of RHP Lim, RHP Bowden designated for assignment". MLB.com. September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Chicago Cubs on Twitter".
  5. ↑ "＜野球＞元ヤクルト「ミスターゼロ」林昌勇が引退発表". 中央日報 (in Japanese). March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
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