Kim makes immediate impact with new team

After being traded by the same Korea Baseball Organization team for the second time in his career this week, Kim Sang-hyun didn’t initially hide his disappointment.

In his first game for the SK Wyverns since being moved by the Kia Tigers, the right-handed slugger put what bitter feelings he might have had behind him, and made an immediate impact on the field.

Batting cleanup for the Incheon-based club following Monday’s trade, Kim went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. 

Both RBIs came on a two-run home run in the eighth inning, as the Wyverns defeated the Doosan Bears 8-3. The victory at Munhak Stadium improved the Wyverns’ record to 12-12 with one tie. The Wyverns have been a perennial contender, having played in a KBO-record six consecutive Korean Series.

The Wyverns will count on Kim to help turn their season around and their expectations are such that they gave away a versatile, battle-tested right-hander in Song Eun-beom, who can start, pitch in relief and also close games, to acquire Kim.

Kim, 32, was voted the league MVP in 2009 thanks to his KBO-leading 36 home runs and 127 RBIs for the Tigers.

After the game, Kim said he battled some nerves early in his SK debut but soon started feeling comfortable with his new surroundings.

“My goal here is to help the team win the championship,” he said. “Personally, I’d like to hit more than 20 home runs. I want to make Kia regret trading me.” (Yonhap News)