[Comprehensive] 'Gambling Allegations' Pro Baseball Samsung Release Yoon Sung-hwan "Not True" Explanation

Former professional baseball pitcher Yoon Sung-hwan of the Samsung Lions./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Yoon Sung-hwan (39), a pitcher for the professional baseball team Samsung Lions, who was released by the club, denied the gambling allegations surrounding him, stating, "It is not true."

On the 16th, Yoon Sung-hwan said in a phone interview with Yonhap News, "I have never gone into hiding. The gambling issue is even more untrue. I feel really wronged. I want to clear my name. The police have never called me for an investigation. If they do, I will go anytime. Right now, I just want to prove my innocence," he asserted.

Earlier that day, Sports Seoul reported that pitcher A had disappeared after accumulating a large gambling debt. Although the article did not reveal the player's name, some baseball fans identified pitcher A as Samsung's right-handed pitcher Yoon Sung-hwan.

Yoon Sung-hwan said, "It is true that I have debts, but they are unrelated to gambling. The claim that I am involved with organized crime is even more false," adding, "I hope the police investigation will prove that I have nothing to do with gambling. It is frustrating to see false rumors spreading as if they were true."

He also explained his absence from training, saying, "In September, a Samsung team official told me, 'We cannot sign Yoon Sung-hwan for the 2021 season. We will conclude in the way the player wants, whether that is retirement or releasing you as a free agent (FA).'" He continued, "I was really disappointed. I have only played for Samsung and have won championships several times. I wanted to retire with Samsung. I felt that the club does not respect players who have played for one team for a long time."

Meanwhile, Samsung officially announced that "We have decided to release pitcher Yoon Sung-hwan as a free agent." Since recording 10 wins in 2008, Yoon Sung-hwan has recorded double-digit wins eight times and has been a key right-handed ace for Samsung.