Jung-ho Kang previously played in the KBO League for the Hyundai Unicorns and Nexen Heroes.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,748 |
33 Facts About Jung-ho Kang
2.
Jung-ho Kang played for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,749 |
3.
In 2004, Jung-ho Kang was selected for the South Korean national under-18 team as a third baseman and was part of the team that won bronze at the World Junior Baseball Championship.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,750 |
4.
In 2005, Jung-ho Kang helped Gwangju Jeil High School win the Golden Lion Flag Championship, winning the Outstanding Pitcher Award and the RBI title.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,751 |
6.
Jung-ho Kang struggled to make an impact in his first two seasons.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,753 |
7.
Jung-ho Kang became the starting shortstop for the Heroes in 2008, appearing in 116 games, batting.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,754 |
8.
Jung-ho Kang tied Hong Sung-heon of the Lotte Giants for the league lead in doubles.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,755 |
9.
Jung-ho Kang won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games as a member of the South Korean national baseball team as he hit 3 home runs in 13 at-bats.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,756 |
10.
In 2011, Jung-ho Kang regressed slightly from his two previous seasons, hitting.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,757 |
11.
Jung-ho Kang won his second straight Gold Glove Award, his third overall.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,758 |
12.
Jung-ho Kang won his third straight Gold Glove Award, his fourth overall, and fourth in five seasons, establishing himself as a premier defensive player.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,759 |
13.
On January 16,2015, Jung-ho Kang was signed to a four-year, $11 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a club option for a fifth year.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,760 |
14.
Jung-ho Kang made the decision to train with his former Korean club, the defending KBO Champion Nexen Heroes, who had arrived in Surprise, Arizona for their Spring Training.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,761 |
15.
In spring training, Jung-ho Kang was given the opportunity to compete for the starting shortstop job held by Jordy Mercer.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,762 |
16.
Jung-ho Kang then threw the ball back to Walker, who was standing on second base, for the final out after Jason Heyward froze between second and third.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,763 |
17.
On September 8,2015, Jung-ho Kang connected on an impressive 472-ft solo shot, his 14th of the season, on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,764 |
18.
Jung-ho Kang was placed on the 60-day disabled list and would miss the remainder of the season, including the post season NL wild card game, which the Pittsburgh Pirates played host to the Chicago Cubs.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,765 |
19.
On May 6,2016, Jung-ho Kang played in his first MLB game since his September 17,2015, injury.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,766 |
20.
On December 1,2016, Jung-ho Kang was involved in a high-speed DUI-induced hit-and-run in South Korea, which culminated in him fleeing his vehicle on foot.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,767 |
21.
Jung-ho Kang was found guilty of his third DUI, and as a result, his request for a work visa to enter the United States for the 2017 season was denied.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,768 |
22.
Jung-ho Kang was not on the Pirates' 40-man roster for the year, as he could not obtain a work visa to travel to the United States.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,769 |
23.
On May 18, Jung-ho Kang's suspended sentence was upheld by a Korean court, meaning that he was disallowed from working or playing any professional sport legally in the United States in 2017.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,770 |
24.
Jung-ho Kang was cleared by the Pirates organization to return to the team.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,771 |
25.
In speaking with reporters on June 6,2018, Jung-ho Kang said through a translator that he was sober and had voluntarily enrolled in the Joint Drug Treatment Program.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,772 |
26.
On September 28,2018, with only 3 games left on the schedule, Jung-ho Kang made his season debut on the road in Cincinnati against the last-place Reds.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,773 |
27.
Jung-ho Kang was inserted into the game in the top of the seventh inning, as a pinch hitter.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,774 |
28.
On March 18,2019, the Pittsburgh Pirates named Jung-ho Kang to be their starting 3rd baseman for the 2019 season.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,775 |
29.
In early 2020, Jung-ho Kang worked out for a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate organization, but failed to sign a deal.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,776 |
30.
Jung-ho Kang decided to return to South Korea, and later filed for reinstatement from the "voluntarily retired" list in order to play in the KBO League.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,777 |
31.
However, due to three drunk driving incidents in his past, Jung-ho Kang was required to face a penalty that would include a suspension for up to 3 years per the KBO League rule book.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,778 |
32.
On May 25,2020, Jung-ho Kang received a one-year suspension from the league and was ordered to undergo 300 hours of community service.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,779 |
33.
On March 18,2022, Jung-ho Kang returned to the KBO League by signing a one-year, $25,000 contract with his former team, now named the Kiwoom Heroes.
| FactSnippet No. 2,384,780 |