Song Ji-man

Song Ji-Man
Outfielder
Born: (1973-03-02) March 2, 1973
Bats: Right Throws: Right
KBO debut
April 13, 1996, for the Hanwha Eagles
KBO statistics
(through 2012)
Batting average .283
Home runs 309
RBI 1022
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • KBO Golden Glove Award winner (2000, 2002)
  • Korean Series champion (1999, 2004)
  • 2000 KBO All-Star Game MVP
Song Ji-man
Medal record
Men's baseball
World Baseball Classic
2006 San Diego Team

Song Ji-Man (Hangul: 송지만, Hanja: 宋志晩) (born March 2, 1973 in Incheon, South Korea) is a South Korean former outfielder in the Korea Baseball Organization professional baseball league. He bats and throws right-handed.

Professional career

Hanwha Eagles

Upon graduation from Inha University in Incheon, Song made himself eligible for the 1996 KBO Draft and was selected in the second round by the Hanwha Eagles.

In 1999, Song joined his first 20-20 club and became a member of the Korean Series championship team. In 2000, he joined his second 20-20 club, batting a career-high .338 and having his first 30+ home run season (32), and won his first Golden Glove Award after the season.

In 2002, Song posted career-highs in home runs (38) and RBI (104), and won his second Golden Glove Award. However, Song was hampered by arm injuries during the whole 2003 season, batting only .253 and hitting a career-low 9 home runs.

Hyundai Unicorns

After the 2003 season, Song was traded to the Hyundai Unicorns. In 2004, he smacked 22 home runs and drove in 74 runs, and led his team to their last Korean Series champion. In 2005, Song had another solid season in the Unicorns, batting a respectable .271 and amassing 24 home runs and 74 RBI. After the 2005 season, he was selected as a member of the South Korea national baseball team and competed in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March 2006.

Nexen Heroes

In the early 2000s (decade) Hyundai Group ran into financial problems, and they eventually abandoned the Unicorns in 2007. The team was sold and became the Heroes. After a series of fire sales for the Unicorns' best players and franchises in the 2007 offseason, The Heroes kept attempting to trade Song for another big deal. However, prior the 2008 season, Song announced that he would stay in the Heroes, accepting a 60% salary cut offered by the team. In 2008, Song batted .280, accumulating 13 home runs and 62 RBI. On April 20, 2008, he hit his 250th home run, which was the 9th record in KBO league's history. In 2009, Song had an offensively productive season again, batting .289 and posting 22 home runs and 67 RBI. On May 19, 2009, he had his 1700th hit in his career, which was the 5th record in the KBO pro league's history.

Notable international careers

Year Venue Competition Team Individual Note
2002  Cuba Intercontinental Cup .214 BA (6-for-28), 8 RBI
2006  United States World Baseball Classic .400 BA (2-for-5)
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