474C44484D4C571214635A424B4C4C0D404C230 wrote: Not everyone who gets a DUI has a substance abuse problem. The two previous DUIs didn't affect his play.
I don't expect him back this year, but that doesn't mean he lost his talent. Yes, he screwed up personally and he hurt the Pirates too. I would still take him back with open arms.
So, I guess you think Kang is still a good baseball player? I'm surprised people will look at his winter ball stats and think he can no longer play.
I think it would be different if we had any idea what he's been doing with himself the last year or so.
It's not just a bad winter ball. It's bad winter ball that's following 12 months of doing who-knows-what (not organized baseball though). Winter League might be a small sample but it's the only sample we have had for over a year.
If it were a regular injury he'd have eyes on him all the time and we'd be hearing reports from a training or rehab facility. We'd hear about how he's playing games in Bradenton or starting to take some BP or whatever. Instead he's under cover of dark on the other side of the world unsupervised, when the last thing we know he did unsupervised was crash his car into a guard rail and try to get someone else to take the blame for it.
You can't blame people for thinking this is a different kind of situation than anything we've had before.
I have no idea if he's still a good baseball player.
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
Moderators: SammyKhalifa, Doc, Bobster
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Bobster21
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
The Pirates must think there's some chance he'll return or they wouldn't have wanted him to play winter ball. If he can return, they could put him in AAA for a month or two to get back on track. These winter stats don't have to mean he's finished.
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dogknot17@yahoo.co
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
There was a report in September that he has been sober, working out on his own, and giving back to the community. He was/is doing baseball activities except the live games. It wasn't known if he was in a rehab program, but he can not drive for a few years.
I would think the Pirates check on him and are up to date on his life. They have to have scouts in Korea. Maybe they are checking in on Kang?
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
I would think the Pirates check on him and are up to date on his life. They have to have scouts in Korea. Maybe they are checking in on Kang?
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
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SammyKhalifa
- Posts: 3642
- Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 4:19 am
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
464D45494C4D561315625B434A4D4D0C414D220 wrote:
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
(bold mine of course). I'm fine with that as long as he's considered "extra" and not plan A. Getting a 3B should still be considered the first priority.
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
(bold mine of course). I'm fine with that as long as he's considered "extra" and not plan A. Getting a 3B should still be considered the first priority.
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dogknot17@yahoo.co
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
695B57574371525B56535C5B3A0 wrote:
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
(bold mine of course). I'm fine with that as long as he's considered "extra" and not plan A. Getting a 3B should still be considered the first priority.
Agreed. They need to address 3B in my opinion.
I guess I should say my hopes are high, but my expectations are low for Kang to return for 2018.
The Pirates put a deadline on whether they hear if he will be back or not. Huntington said if he clears after the deadline, then they have an extra good player. That deadline date wasn't stated (at least I don't think it was). My hopes aren't high in his return, but at least it seems it is being followed more closely this year.
(bold mine of course). I'm fine with that as long as he's considered "extra" and not plan A. Getting a 3B should still be considered the first priority.
Agreed. They need to address 3B in my opinion.
I guess I should say my hopes are high, but my expectations are low for Kang to return for 2018.
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
Isn't David Freese plan A for 2018? Harrison plan B, Rodriguez Plan C and Kang plan D.
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dogknot17@yahoo.co
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
527475627464170 wrote: Isn't David Freese plan A for 2018? Harrison plan B, Rodriguez Plan C and Kang plan D.
I sure hope not. Freese and Rodriguez would be better bench players than starters.
Frazier and Osuna might be in that mix too. I am not sure how I feel about those two. I like both players, just not sure if they are full time starters. Tough decision.
I sure hope not. Freese and Rodriguez would be better bench players than starters.
Frazier and Osuna might be in that mix too. I am not sure how I feel about those two. I like both players, just not sure if they are full time starters. Tough decision.
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johnfluharty
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
7F59584F59493A0 wrote: Isn't David Freese plan A for 2018? Harrison plan B, Rodriguez Plan C and Kang plan D.
Freese proved he is not up to being a full time starter this year. He will not be plan A, not by himself.
Freese proved he is not up to being a full time starter this year. He will not be plan A, not by himself.
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
767D75797C7D662325526B737A7D7D3C717D120 wrote: Not everyone who gets a DUI has a substance abuse problem. The two previous DUIs didn't affect his play.
I don't expect him back this year, but that doesn't mean he lost his talent. Yes, he screwed up personally and he hurt the Pirates too. I would still take him back with open arms.
So, I guess you think Kang is still a good baseball player? I'm surprised people will look at his winter ball stats and think he can no longer play.
Kang has a track record of bad decisions - MULTIPLE DUI's, hooking up with random women in strange cities using a phone app when he doesn't speak English very well, and that's just the things we know about. The guy doesn't appear to have his act together. In the end, I don't care WHY he makes bad decisions, whether it's because he drinks too much or he has a ten-cent head. Maybe it's both. I feel safe in saying he has a problem with drink, though. It's true not everyone with a DUI is an alcoholic, but I'd say the odds increase dramatically when there are THREE DUI's.
No, I don't currently think he's even a good player, but I believe he COULD BE the very good player he was, if he shapes up. The talent's been on display his entire career until the last DUI derailed his career. The only performance since then was in the Winter League, and that was abysmal. Also, we don't know if alcohol has ever affected his on-field performance. Maybe he plays a Sunday game with a hangover and that's the day he had an 0-for.
705D50414657400003320 wrote: The Pirates must think there's some chance he'll return or they wouldn't have wanted him to play winter ball. If he can return, they could put him in AAA for a month or two to get back on track. These winter stats don't have to mean he's finished.
It would be wasteful not to give him every chance. It's highly unlikely that we find someone who performs at the level he has in the past. There's a great deal of talent there if he can pull himself together, and it's not as if keeping the Kang option open requires much money or effort.
They should not be banking on him though. Even getting him into the country to play is very iffy. Plans for 3rd base should continue as though he won't be here.
I don't expect him back this year, but that doesn't mean he lost his talent. Yes, he screwed up personally and he hurt the Pirates too. I would still take him back with open arms.
So, I guess you think Kang is still a good baseball player? I'm surprised people will look at his winter ball stats and think he can no longer play.
Kang has a track record of bad decisions - MULTIPLE DUI's, hooking up with random women in strange cities using a phone app when he doesn't speak English very well, and that's just the things we know about. The guy doesn't appear to have his act together. In the end, I don't care WHY he makes bad decisions, whether it's because he drinks too much or he has a ten-cent head. Maybe it's both. I feel safe in saying he has a problem with drink, though. It's true not everyone with a DUI is an alcoholic, but I'd say the odds increase dramatically when there are THREE DUI's.
No, I don't currently think he's even a good player, but I believe he COULD BE the very good player he was, if he shapes up. The talent's been on display his entire career until the last DUI derailed his career. The only performance since then was in the Winter League, and that was abysmal. Also, we don't know if alcohol has ever affected his on-field performance. Maybe he plays a Sunday game with a hangover and that's the day he had an 0-for.
705D50414657400003320 wrote: The Pirates must think there's some chance he'll return or they wouldn't have wanted him to play winter ball. If he can return, they could put him in AAA for a month or two to get back on track. These winter stats don't have to mean he's finished.
It would be wasteful not to give him every chance. It's highly unlikely that we find someone who performs at the level he has in the past. There's a great deal of talent there if he can pull himself together, and it's not as if keeping the Kang option open requires much money or effort.
They should not be banking on him though. Even getting him into the country to play is very iffy. Plans for 3rd base should continue as though he won't be here.
Jung Ho Kang - Winter League
The PG's Bill Brink interview an immigration attorney about Kang's situation. It sounds like a longshot at best.
One weird thing about this, the Pirates still claim to not know if Kang listed his previous DUIs when applying for his earlier visas. Did they ask him?
And on top of all this is the fact that he is still in the Korean justice system under probation.
He's not coming back.
One weird thing about this, the Pirates still claim to not know if Kang listed his previous DUIs when applying for his earlier visas. Did they ask him?
And on top of all this is the fact that he is still in the Korean justice system under probation.
He's not coming back.