Lotte's Kim Do-gyu Caught for Drunk Driving
KBO Suspends Him for 70 Games
The KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) announced on the 3rd that it has imposed a 70-game suspension on Lotte's Kim Do-gyu, who was caught for drunk driving. Kim Do-gyu was caught in a drunk driving crackdown on the 12th of last month and, as he met the criteria for license suspension, he received a 70-game suspension under Article 151 of the KBO regulations for "conduct damaging to dignity."
On the morning of the 12th, Kim Do-gyu voluntarily reported the incident to his team. The team also verbally informed the KBO Clean Baseball Center. After the police finalized the license suspension decision on the 22nd of last month, the team officially reported it to the Clean Baseball Center.
A professional baseball game between the Samsung Lions and the Lotte Giants held at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium in 2022. In the top of the 9th inning, Lotte's Kim Do-gyu is pitching. Photo by Yonhap News
The KBO imposed a 70-game suspension under Article 151 (conduct damaging to dignity). Professional baseball teams play 144 games per season. The KBO classifies drunk driving sanctions into four categories: license suspension, license revocation, second offense of drunk driving, and third or more offenses. A license suspension results in a 70-game suspension, license revocation leads to a one-year disqualification, a second drunk driving offense results in a five-year disqualification, and three or more offenses lead to a permanent disqualification.
Yonhap News reported on the 3rd that the Lotte team is greatly shaken by the drunk driving incidents involving its players. The Kim Do-gyu case is already the third drunk driving-related incident within the Lotte team in the past year.
Previously, infielder Bae Young-bin was caught in a drunk driving crackdown in November last year and, despite having his license revoked, concealed this from the team. Subsequently, Bae Young-bin received a one-year suspension from the KBO under the 'license revocation for drunk driving' criteria, but the team released him.
On June 25th, Na Gyun-an was found to have attended a drinking party before starting as a pitcher in the Busan KIA game. Na Gyun-an, who played in the KIA game, gave up 7 hits and 6 walks in 1.2 innings, allowing 8 runs in a disastrous performance, and was immediately removed from the first team. Eventually, Na Gyun-an received a 30-game suspension from the team.
Whenever a drunk driving-related incident occurred within the Lotte team, the team imposed strict disciplinary actions. Although Bae Young-bin apologized belatedly to the team, he was notified of his release, and Na Gyun-an was suspended for 30 games due to irresponsible behavior amid a negative team atmosphere caused by the drinking scandal.
However, the Lotte team is not expected to impose additional disciplinary measures on Kim Do-gyu. A Lotte team official told Yonhap News, "Since double punishment such as a suspension cannot be imposed, the only practical measure for Kim Do-gyu would be release. However, realistically, release is difficult."
Meanwhile, Kim Do-gyu has appeared in 139 games over 4 seasons, recording 6 wins, 9 losses, 4 saves, 14 holds, and an ERA of 4.76. In 2022, he stood out by appearing in 55 games with 4 wins, 4 losses, 3 saves, 8 holds, and an ERA of 3.71, but this year he only appeared in 5 games, recording 1 loss and an ERA of 9.00.
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