WBC Australia Game: Tag Out Despite Hitting Double
"A Painful Mistake"... Play Criticized
Video Viewed Millions of Times on Overseas SNS
"Wow. Kang Baek-ho took his foot off the base while celebrating."
On the 9th, during the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool B first-round game against Australia held at Tokyo Dome in Japan, a baffling scene unfolded where Kang Baek-ho was called out despite hitting a double in the bottom of the 7th inning. Domestic baseball fans were outraged, and baseball fans worldwide responded with reactions close to ridicule.
In the bottom of the 7th inning with one out and Korea trailing 4-5, Kang Baek-ho came in as a pinch hitter for Choi Jeong and hit a double to left-center field. However, Kang Baek-ho celebrated while looking toward the Korean dugout and was tagged out after taking his foot off second base.
The umpires initially called him safe, but after the Australian dugout requested a video review, he was ultimately ruled out. Kang Baek-ho gestured to insist he was safe, but the broadcast footage captured the moment his foot left the base and Australian second baseman Robbie Glendinning tagging him.
This absurd mistake drew criticism from foreign media as well. Japan's Nikkan Sports reported on Kang Baek-ho's tag out, saying, "Korea lost momentum because of this play," and added, "Korea missed victory due to a heartbreaking mistake in their first game and now faces a do-or-die situation in the Korea-Japan match on the 10th."
Spornic commented, "Kang Baek-ho was so happy that he made the mistake of taking his foot off the base," pointing out, "Korea lost to Australia because of this error and also suffered a blow to their pitching strength by using seven pitchers."
In the United States, Kang Baek-ho's play became a subject of mockery. When Fox Sports, which was broadcasting the game, posted the video on Twitter, it recorded over 4.6 million explosive views. Netizens reacted with comments such as "Don't celebrate until the ball is back in the pitcher's glove," "Even the ball boy is laughing," and "What is this, seriously?"
Domestic netizens also expressed opinions like "I've never seen a celebration mistake like this," "There's no greater embarrassment in international games," "Does Kang Baek-ho have a bad relationship with international tournaments?" "This play hurts pride more than losing to Australia," and "This is not a play worthy of a professional player."
"Does he have a bad relationship with international tournaments?"... Attitude controversy under scrutiny
Kang Baek-ho caught chewing gum on the broadcast camera during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. [Photo by KBS broadcast screen capture]
Kang Baek-ho has previously faced several attitude controversies. On the 6th, during an exhibition game against the Orix Buffaloes, he was criticized for not giving full effort and performing a "leisurely baserunning" despite the opposing team's mistake, resulting in missing a safe call.
Also, during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he became a topic of controversy over chewing gum. At that time, Korea was losing 6-10, and Kang Baek-ho was caught on the broadcast camera chewing gum noisily, which transferred public frustration over the disappointing performance onto him.
Meanwhile, MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), reported on the game, stating, "Korea is aiming to advance to the second round for the first time since the 2009 WBC, but suffered a major blow after losing 7-8 to Australia today," adding, "The Korea-Japan game on the 10th has become very important."
On the other hand, the play by the Australian player who tagged out Kang Baek-ho received praise. MLB.com reported, "Australian second baseman Robbie led the team to victory by hitting a three-run home run in the top of the 7th inning and tagging out Kang Baek-ho, who took his foot off the base in the bottom of the 7th."
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