Jung Ho Kang has put together an impressive first season in Major League Baseball after playing professionally in Korea since 2006. Unfortunately, his season likely over after a collision a second base during Thursday’s game between the Pirates and Cubs.
In the top of the first inning, Anthony Rizzo hit a ground ball to Neil Walker, who tossed the ball to Kang for the first out of a double play. As Chris Coghlan side into second base, his outstretched right leg made contact with Kang’s knee, forcing him to the ground in agony.
The result of the play is a torn left MCL and fractured tibia for Kang, which will require surgery and bring his season to an end.
The topic of discussion following the slide was weather or not it was dirty or not. Kang issued a statement through his agent indicating he did not think there was any ill intent.
Statement from agent Alan Nero on behalf of Jung Ho Kang. pic.twitter.com/BDr4Vx0U6p
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 17, 2015
Not surprinsingly, there were many who felt quite the opposite of the 28-year-old.
Everything about this slide is dirty. Has nothing to do with teams/players involved. If u can’t see that, ur a homer. http://t.co/EZ65cujbSu
— Joe (@stlcards314) September 18, 2015
Dirty slide by Cubs Chris Coghlan breaks Kang's leg & no retribution. Unbelievable. Coghlan did same to Aki. Dirty cheap player.
— J.D. Prose (@jdprose) September 18, 2015
Cubs fans can sugercoat it all they want Chris Coghlan's slide on Jung Ho Kang was bush league, dirty, & has no place in @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Robsta (@GULLYKING82) September 18, 2015
Looks kind of dirty. Within an arm's reach of second but Coghlan's knee is up pretty high. https://t.co/oLk5wclxYN
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) September 17, 2015
Coghlan is clearly running at Kang here, not the base. I don't care if it's "legal;" it's disgusting. pic.twitter.com/95JkLSNtkL
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) September 17, 2015
Coghland defended the play, but did send a letter to the Pirates clubhouse after the game.
“I’m completely within the rules,” Coghlan said via MLB.com. “It just stinks because he didn’t have time to jump over me. The collision looks bad because there’s no take.”
In 125 games, Kang hit .287 with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, and 58 RBI.
