Launch of 3 stages, 160 km snake bra. Chang-yong Lim was like that in Yakult

Lim Chang-yong (44), who was famous for the “snake fastball”, was selected as the best foreign player in Japanese professional baseball Yakult Swallows.

Imchang-yong’s third release during Yakult. [중앙포토]

On the 30th of last month, the full Japanese baseball media count revealed the results of the votes of the best foreign players for 12 baseball teams in Japan. Chang-yong Lim ranked first with 53.8% of Yakult’s previous pitchers, outperforming other pitchers such as Tony Burnett (34.5%), Terry Bros (7.8%) and Kevin Hodgs (3.8%).

Yakult’s top foreign hitter was Vladimir Valentin (currently Softbank, 50.4% of the vote). Valentin broke 60 home runs in 2013 and broke the record for most home runs in one season in Japanese baseball. Valentin had a lower percentage of votes than Im Chang-yong, competing against legendary sluggers like Alex Ramirez (25.6%) and Roberto Petazini (19.1%).

Chang-Yong Lim joined Yakult in 2008 and recorded 128 saves in five years. The record was excellent, but thanks to the unique feeling of pressure and personality, he was loved by fans.

He made his Haitai debut in 1995 and has been the best KBO League finalist since 1997. After moving to Samsung in 1999, he peaked in save and pick. However, since the early 1920s, he underwent excessive elbow surgery. When he said, “Lim Chang-yong is done,” he signed with Yakult from Japan.

He received an annual salary of 500 million won from Samsung, and at the age of 32, he earned only the lowest annual salary for foreign players ($ 300,000 and $ 360 million). In the first match against Yomiuri in March 2008, Im Chang-yong, who started as the eighth coach, finished the game in one game, releasing a high speed of 156 km / h.

2011.02.24. On the 24th, a practice game was held with Japanese professional baseball player Yakult Swallows-Rakuten in Uraso, Okinawa, Japan. Pitcher Yakult Lim Chang-yong has been playing for the first time 5 times and is fighting Rakuten.

Im Chang-yong, who recorded 33 saves in 2008, scored 33 consecutive runs without a game until July 10, 2009. His nickname at the moment is’ Mr. Zero ‘. In addition, on May 15 and 16 of that year, Hanseonjeon launched a beam of light of 160 km / h per hour to surprise the archipelago. At that time, after Mark Kroon (Yomiuri, 162 km), he ranked second in the history of professional baseball in Japan.

I once asked Im Chang-yong, “Which is stronger, Yakut or Yakult?” He did not hesitate and replied: “The days of Haitai.” It is surprising to throw a steel ball at 160 km / h at the age of 33, but the rotational force and horizontal movement of the ball were estimated in his 20s.

It was difficult hitting Lim Chang-yong’s fastball when he played to finish on Haetae and Samsung. The adjective contradiction of ‘snake curve fastball’ is not just a word. The only way to attack Lim Chang-yong was to wait for him to tire.

Im Chang-yong in his 30s was not as strong as Im Chang-yong in his 20. Instead, seasoned rice was added. The high technology that Lim Chang-yong showed at Yakult was ‘three-stage pitching’. He was a small arms launcher during the Haitai era and opened his eyes to diversity while experiencing a starting pitcher (2001-2003). In order to overcome the weaknesses of the different types, he also threw in three quarters and in the form of a shot. The 160 mph record came in the form of overthrow.

This is the grip Im Chang-yong showed when he played for Yakult. He threw three pitches on the pitch.

The base of the launch is a constant release point. However, Lim Chang-yong had three different foams. In fear of “wounded” and “difficult to catch,” he used a fairly stable anomalous launch.

At the time of Haitai, Chang-yong Lim was a “one-shot” pitcher who was overly reliant on fastball. However, it was the strongest. After 2005, when the restraint fell due to injury, he had an opportunity to supplement his control and change his ability. After regaining his post-operative posture, ‘Yakult Suhoshin’ Chang Yong Yong was reborn as a taller pitcher than before. I was able to throw a fork ball with an over throw.

In 2013, Chang-yong Lim challenged the big leagues at the age of 37. They are pitching in the Iowa Cubs minor leagues. [중앙포토]

In 2010, Chang-yong Lim successfully signed a 2 + 1 year contract with Yakult. The annual salary was only 400 million yen (4.5 billion yen). He played in the Chicago Cubs Major Leagues in 2013 and returned home the following year. After finishing the job at Samsung again, he returned to the KIA team from his hometown in 2016 and retired after the 2018 season.

By Kim Sik, [email protected]