Min Byung-hun

1. Playing Career

Min Byung-hun's professional baseball career spanned over a decade in the KBO League, primarily with the Doosan Bears before a significant free agent move to the Lotte Giants.

1.1. Doosan Bears

Min Byung-hun joined the Doosan Bears in 2006 as a second-round, second overall pick, receiving a signing bonus of 120.00 M KRW. In his debut season, he appeared in 80 games, primarily as a pinch-runner and defensive substitute, recording a batting average in the .100s, 4 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. He played in 119 games in 2007, but his appearances were limited to 87 games in 2008 due to a thigh bruise and a fractured right thumb.

After completing his mandatory military service, Min returned to the Doosan Bears in 2012. In 2013, he solidified his position as the starting right fielder and the number two hitter, achieving the team's highest batting average. The 2014 season marked a career-high for Min, as he became a regular starter in right field, recording a batting average in the .300s, over 100 hits, and 12 home runs. He was selected for the KBO All-Star Game for the first time via fan vote and finished third in the league with 162 hits. By 2016, he had fully established himself as a starting outfielder for the team.

2. International Career

Min Byung-hun represented South Korea in several major international baseball competitions. He was a member of the South Korean national baseball team that won the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. In 2015, he was selected for the national team competing in the inaugural 2015 WBSC Premier12 tournament, where South Korea clinched the gold medal. He also participated in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In 2019, he was again selected for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 national team, where South Korea earned a silver medal.

3. Post-Retirement Activities

After retiring from his playing career, Min Byung-hun remained actively involved in baseball. In 2022, he became the manager of B.H Baseball. Currently, he serves as a baseball commentator for TVING, a technical advisor for Rohan Agent, and the manager of the Seogwipo Baseball Club. In 2024, he was appointed as the manager of the Yeongsan University baseball team.

4. Personal Life

5. Controversies

On May 27, 2015, during a game between the Doosan Bears and the NC Dinos, a bench-clearing brawl erupted in the later innings following an argument between Doosan's Oh Jae-won and then-NC pitcher Eric Hacker. During the altercation, a ball was thrown rapidly from the Doosan dugout towards Eric Hacker, though it was initially unclear who had thrown it. The umpire mistakenly identified Doosan outfielder Jang Min-seok as the culprit and ejected him from the game.

However, public opinion on social media quickly pointed to Min Byung-hun as the actual thrower. The following day, May 28, Min Byung-hun admitted to throwing the ball. He issued an apology, stating, "After the game, when I came to the hotel, I felt sorry and distressed that my wrong actions had caused harm to a teammate. I committed an act that a baseball player should not do. I am sincerely reflecting and repenting. I apologize to the fans who love professional baseball."

Subsequently, the KBO League's disciplinary committee immediately convened. The committee ruled that the act of throwing the ball violated the spirit of sportsmanship. In accordance with KBO League Disciplinary Regulations Article 7, Min Byung-hun was suspended for three games, ordered to perform 40 hours of youth baseball volunteer work, and fined 1.00 M KRW. Additionally, Hong Sung-heon was fined 1.00 M KRW for entering the field during the game while on the disabled list.

6. Career Statistics

7. Awards and Honors

• Gold Medal, Baseball at the 2014 Asian Games
• Gold Medal, Baseball at the 2015 WBSC Premier12
• Silver Medal, Baseball at the 2019 WBSC Premier12