Chang-yong Lim
From BR Bullpen
Chang-yong Lim (Mister Zero)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 165 lb.
Sidearm pitcher Chang-yong Lim was a top closer in the Korea Baseball Organization for four years and a good starter for three. In 2008, he will be going to Japan to pitch. Lim pitched for South Korea in the Olympics.
Lim debuted in 1995 with the Haitai Tigers; the teenager was 0-2 with a 5.83 ERA, allowing 37 hits in 29 1/3 IP. In 1996, he improved to 7-7, 3.32. By 1997, Lim was closing for Haitai and went 14-8 with 26 saves. He fanned 120 in 135 innings while allowing 93 hits and posting a 2.33 ERA. Sang-hoon Lee edged him for the save point lead by 3.
Lim went 8-7 with 34 saves and a 1.89 ERA in 1998. He struck out 141 in 133 2/3 IP, allowing 90 hits. He led the KBO in both saves and save points that year. That off-season, he was traded to the Samsung Lions for star hitter Jun-hyeok Yang and two other players.
In 1999, Lim was 13-4 with 38 saves and a 2.14 ERA in his Lions debut. In 138 2/3 IP, he allowed just 91 hits and 36 walks while again striking out 141. He led the league in both saves and ERA. Pil-jung Jin edged him by one for the save point lead. The ERA runner-up was Min-tae Chung, .40 behind.
Lim had his lowest ERA in 2000, going 5-4 with 30 saves and a 1.52 ERA; he did not pitch enough innings to qualify for the ERA lead, though. He allowed only 58 hits in 88 1/3 IP while striking out 95. He allowed two runs in five innings of work in the 2000 Olympics and had no decisions as South Korea earned Bronze. He did not pitch in the semifinals or Gold Medal game.
Becoming a starting pitcher in 2001, Lim had a 14-6, 3.90 record with one save. He was 10th in the KBO in ERA. In 2002, he was 17-6 with two saves and a 3.08 ERA. He was two wins behind the league leader, Mark Kiefer and third in ERA, trailing Narciso Elvira and Jin-woo Song.
Lim had a record of 13-3 with one save and a 3.55 ERA in 2003 and his strikeout rate fell drastically (from 160 in 204 1/3 IP to 85 in 147). He still finished 6th in the league in ERA. In 2004, Lim returned to the bullpen for one more year and dominated with a 2-4 record, 36 saves and a 2.01 ERA. He led the KBO in saves for the third time and save points for the second time. It was his last big season.
In 2005, Lim fell to 5-8, 6.10, allowing 110 hits and 51 walks in 91 1/3 IP. Through 2005, he was 8th in KBO history in ERA (3.10), 13th in games pitched (493), 24th in innings pitched (1,334 1/3), 3rd in saves (168, trailing Yong-su Kim and Jin), 13th in strikeouts (1,109) and 17th in wins (98).
Lim only pitched two innings for Samsung in 2006, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA while coming back from shoulder surgery. In 2007, Chang-yong posted a 5-7, 4.90 record for the Lions.
Through 2007, Lim was 104-66 with 168 saves and a 3.25 ERA. In 1,455 2/3 IP, Lim allowed 1,260 hits allowed, 1,171 strikeouts and 531 walks.
Lim signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for $800,000 over two years with a club option for a third year, a move that surprised Japanese baseball fans given Lim's prior three seasons.
Lim started off his Japanese career excellently, allowing no runs in his first nine innings and saving six contests. He was nicknamed "Mr. Zero" by the Japanese media for his efficacy. After 32 games, he had 20 saves and a 2.03 ERA. Yakult refused to allow Lim to participate in the 2008 Olympics for South Korea.
Sources: KBO season-by-season leaders, KBO career leaders, IBAF site, KBO player page, Japanese Baseball.com by Michael Westbay, 2000-2004 Baseball Almanacs
