Ex-Braves pitcher shares Olympic experience

An Olympic gold is every athlete’s ultimate dream.

For Korea’s ace pitcher Joong Keun Bong it was the greatest moment of his baseball career.

Bong, a former pitcher for the Major League’s Atlanta Braves, was glad to share his thoughts about Korea’s gold medal triumph in the Beijing Olympics last year as well as his heydays in the MLB, his experiences with other MLB greats, his hopes for his current Korean pro league team, and advice to young ballplayers of Saipan.

Bong was an 18-year-old starting pitcher back home when he made it to the Braves’ lineup in the minor league in 1999.

“I was very young. I was so scared because there was no family to look after me. I couldn’t speak English. But year after year, I learned to keep up with the pace and improve my English,” recalled Bong.

The big chance came in 2003 when he finally threw his first pitch with the Braves.

“I was the starting pitcher and I was very happy. I always cherish those moments,” Bong said.

He never went to the World Series.

However, Bong and the Braves won the NL Division championship but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the playoffs in 2003.

“It was a good experience. It made me more confident,” he said.

The Braves won the NL championship in 2004 and 2005 but also dropped their first round playoffs in both occasions.

Bong had a lot of great memories with his former teammates in Atlanta, foremost among them were future Hall of Famers Chipper Jones and Greg Maddox.

“Greg was my best friend. He was older than me. He’s like a father to me. I learned a lot from this guy. I give him one question and he gives me back 10 answers,” Bong said.

Bong said that when Maddox retired, he felt very sad because he considered him as the best pitcher ever in the Major League.

LG Twins acquired his services for the 2006 season of the Korean pro league.

The Twins are hoping to end a 14-year title drought since winning their second championship in 1994.

LG Twins are banking on Bong, along with his teammate Jin Young Lee in the national team that took the baseball gold from the United States in Beijing.

Asked to share about that experience in China, Bong said that game was the most exciting he ever played not only because he was the starting pitcher but also the way Korea won it.

“I gave up two runs in the game. We won in the extra inning,” he recalled.

The game was tied after nine full innings but the Korean national team, which was composed of all-star pros, prevailed with the slimmest of margins, 6-5, over the Americans, who were composed of minor league players.

“The U.S. committed one mistake in the extra inning. That was the chance we had,” he said.

Every now and then, Bong remembers the thrill of winning that ultimate Olympic gold via the hard way.

“My family is also part of that honor. Gold is forever. Even when I die, it is still there. Whenever I see my medal I cry,” Bong said.

For the young athletes here on Saipan, Bong said dreaming is very important part of an athlete’s life.

“Saipan is so small but I think young kids like baseball. They should continue to dream to make it to the Major League. I think that everyone has a chance. They must never give up. Just keep on trying and train hard everyday. Let yourself sweat and I’m sure your dreams will come true,” Bong advised.

Bong said he likes coming back here to Saipan not only because of the good weather but every time he goes, he can see the beautiful smile of the people.

“They seem to be happy always,” he said.