Park Hyun-june

2.1. Birth and Upbringing

Park Hyun-jun was born on September 22, 1986, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.

2.2. Education

He attended Jeonju Geumyeong Elementary School, Jeonju Dong Middle School, and Jeonju High School. In 2005, he enrolled in Kyung Hee University, where he studied in the Department of Sports Coaching within the College of Physical Education.

3.1. College Career

While at Kyung Hee University, Park Hyun-jun began to attract significant attention in 2007. On September 12 of that year, he pitched a no-hitter against Wonkwang University during the group stage of the college national championship's fall league. In 2008, as a senior, he led his team to victory in the college national championship's spring league. For his outstanding performance in the tournament, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), achieving a 3-0 record with a remarkable 0.87 ERA, including a two-run complete game victory in the final.

3.2. National Team Career (Amateur)

In July 2008, Park was selected to the South Korean collegiate national baseball team to compete in the 2008 World University Baseball Championship held in the Czech Republic. Despite being considered one of the less impressive pitchers on the team, he secured a crucial win against the Chinese Taipei in the round-robin phase, which ensured South Korea's advancement to the semifinals. However, he concluded the tournament with a 6.61 ERA, having allowed 15 runs over 16.1 IP across four appearances.

4.1. SK Wyverns

Park Hyun-jun was drafted by the SK Wyverns in the second round, as the 8th pick (16th overall), in the 2009 amateur draft. He made his professional debut in the 2009 season opener. In his debut year, he appeared in 14 games primarily as a setup man, recording a 5.82 ERA in 17 IP and finishing with one loss, largely attributed to weaknesses in his control. In the 2010 season, he was initially part of the Wyverns' first-team roster but was later relegated to the minor league after posting a high 12.50 ERA as a relief pitcher.

4.2. LG Twins

On July 28, 2010, Park Hyun-jun was traded to the LG Twins in a 4-for-3 deal, which also involved Kim Sun-gyu and Yoon Yo-seop. Due to the timing of the trade coinciding with an SK Wyverns home game against the LG Twins, he famously changed uniforms at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Following his trade, the Twins immediately moved him from the bullpen to the starting rotation, where he began to emerge as a reliable starter. He earned his first career professional win on August 13, 2010, against the Nexen Heroes.

The 2011 season is widely regarded as Park Hyun-jun's breakout year. He solidified his position as a key member of the Twins' starting rotation, achieving a team-high 13 wins against 10 losses and posting a 4.18 ERA. On June 4, 2011, he secured a victory against the Lotte Giants, making him a pitcher who had recorded a win against every team in the KBO League.

5.1. Competitions Participated In

He participated in the following international tournaments:

• 2009 Baseball World Cup
• 2010 Intercontinental Cup

5.2. Performance in Competitions

After the 2009 KBO season, Park Hyun-jun was called up to the South Korean national baseball team to compete in the 2009 Baseball World Cup. In this tournament, he recorded a 1-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in four appearances as a relief pitcher, allowing only one earned run over 5.0 IP and striking out 8. The team finished in 9th place.

Following the 2010 KBO season, he was selected for the South Korean national baseball team to compete in the Intercontinental Cup held in Taichung. On October 30, 2010, in the second round of the competition, he pitched a complete game to lead South Korea to an 8-1 victory over the Japanese national team. He finished the tournament with a 1-0 record and a 2.89 ERA over 9.1 IP across two games. The team placed 6th in the tournament.

6.1. Pitching Form and Pitches

He was a sidearm pitcher, a delivery style less common among professional pitchers. His fastball velocity ranged from 87 mph to 91 mph, occasionally topping out at 94 mph. He primarily relied on a sinker, a slider, and a forkball. His forkball was particularly notable, often described as "falling like a waterfall" due to its significant drop, a characteristic that is challenging for sidearm pitchers to achieve effectively. His arm slot was often compared to that of fellow sidearm pitcher Lim Chang-yong.

6.2. Other Pitching Characteristics

Beyond his primary pitches, Park Hyun-jun also possessed a remarkably quick quick motion to the plate. His average quick motion time was 1.15 s, with his fastest recorded at 1.08 s. This quickness made it exceptionally difficult for opposing base runners to attempt stolen bases.

7.1. Incident and Investigation

In February 2012, prior to the start of the KBO League season, Park Hyun-jun became embroiled in the 2012 KBO League match-fixing scandal, alongside fellow pitcher Kim Sung-hyun. Allegations surfaced that he had accepted bribes in exchange for deliberately manipulating the outcomes of baseball games during the 2011 season. On March 2, he was summoned by the Daegu District Prosecutor's Office for questioning, where, after approximately eight hours of investigation, he admitted to some of the match-fixing charges. He confessed to having fixed two games in August 2011, receiving between 2.00 M KRW and 3.00 M KRW for each manipulated game. On March 5, the KBO issued a suspension, prohibiting him from all baseball activities. The following day, March 6, the LG Twins formally released him from the team. On March 14, the prosecution concluded its investigation, indicting him without detention.

7.2. Legal Judgment and Penalties

On March 28, the prosecution sought a six-month prison sentence for Park Hyun-jun. The legal proceedings culminated on April 18, 2012, when the Daegu District Court delivered its verdict. Park Hyun-jun was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 120 hours of community service. Additionally, he was fined 5.00 M KRW. On the very same day, the KBO announced its disciplinary action, permanently expelling him from the league. This permanent ban signifies a complete and irreversible removal from professional baseball activities within South Korea.

7.3. League Activity Restrictions

The permanent expulsion imposed by the KBO had far-reaching consequences beyond South Korea. Due to mutual agreements and cooperative frameworks between the KBO and other major professional baseball organizations, including MLB in the United States, NPB in Japan, and the CPBL in Taiwan, Park Hyun-jun was effectively banned from playing or coaching in any of these leagues. This global restriction means he cannot participate in professional baseball in these countries without explicit permission from the KBO, which is highly unlikely given the nature of his permanent ban.

8.1. Attempts to Resume Career and Current Status

After receiving the permanent ban from the KBO, Park Hyun-jun reportedly returned to his hometown of Jeonju. Initially, he worked as an instructor at Jeonju Elementary School. From mid-2013, he commenced his mandatory military service. Upon his discharge in mid-2015, he attempted to resume his baseball career abroad. Shortly after his 29th birthday, he underwent a tryout with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Republic, but a formal contract was not finalized.

In 2019, he sought to sign with the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. However, despite the Mexican League not having a direct agreement with the KBO, it maintains a cooperative relationship with MLB. Consequently, the Mexican League requested a status check from the KBO regarding Park Hyun-jun. Due to his permanent expulsion, the KBO did not approve his participation, preventing him from signing a contract. Following these unsuccessful attempts to return to professional baseball, Park Hyun-jun has since been reported to be working in civilian roles in his hometown of Jeonju, operating a mobile phone store during the day and a pub as a proprietor at night, as conveyed through his social media.

8.2. Social Activities

In the wake of another match-fixing scandal that surfaced in the KBO in 2016, Park Hyun-jun took a notable step to contribute to sports ethics. On January 13, 2017, he delivered a lecture at the KBO's rookie orientation session. During his address, he shared his personal experiences and issued a cautionary warning to new players, urging them to avoid involvement in illegal activities such as game-fixing and to uphold the integrity of the sport.

9.1. Yearly Statistics

9.2. Career Totals

10.1. Positive Assessment

Before his involvement in the match-fixing scandal, Park Hyun-jun displayed considerable talent and potential as a pitcher. His 2011 season with the LG Twins was particularly noteworthy, where he emerged as a reliable starter and achieved a team-high 13 wins, demonstrating his capability to perform at a high level in the KBO League. His distinctive sidearm delivery, coupled with a high-velocity fastball and a unique, effective forkball, made him a challenging pitcher for opposing batters. Furthermore, his quick motion to the plate was a valuable asset, effectively disrupting opponents' base-stealing attempts. These positive aspects highlight the athletic prowess and skill he possessed, which, under different circumstances, could have led to a distinguished career.

10.2. Criticism and Controversy

The game-fixing scandal in which Park Hyun-jun was implicated represents a profound breach of trust and a severe blow to the integrity of professional baseball. His admission to accepting bribes to manipulate game outcomes not only violated the fundamental principles of fair play but also deeply disappointed fans, teammates, and the league itself. The legal judgment, which included a suspended prison sentence and community service, along with his permanent expulsion from the KBO League and a global ban from professional baseball, underscore the gravity of his actions. This controversy significantly tarnished his reputation and cast a long shadow over his athletic achievements, transforming his career into a cautionary tale about the perils of corruption in sports.

10.3. Sports Ethics and Influence

Park Hyun-jun's case stands as a critical example in discussions surrounding sports ethics and the importance of maintaining the integrity of competitive sports. His actions served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of professional leagues to illicit activities and the devastating impact such acts can have on public trust and the sport's reputation. The swift and severe disciplinary actions taken against him by the KBO League and the subsequent global restrictions highlight the collective commitment of baseball organizations to uphold ethical standards and ensure fair competition. His later decision to lecture new players about the dangers of match-fixing, while not absolving his past actions, reflects a recognition of the need for accountability and education within the sporting community. His story continues to serve as a powerful lesson on the paramount importance of ethical conduct, player responsibility, and the continuous vigilance required to safeguard the integrity of professional sports for future generations.