SAIPAN – It’s been 14 years since the LG Twins last won a Korean League title but the last-place squad of 2008 sees brighter days ahead.

The Twins are holding their training camp for the third consecutive year in Saipan at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield and the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

Another Korean professional team, the Lotte Giants, are also holding spring training camp in Saipan at the Kan Pacific facility in Marpi.

Besides boosting the dwindling tourism industry in the CNMI, the Korean club is also capitalizing on the hot weather to focus on physical conditioning to build their muscles. The Twins, who brought in 43 players, 10 coaches, and five trainers, are staying at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan.

LG will feature two Olympians, pitcher Bong Joong Keun and outfielder Lee Jin Young, who helped South Korea capture the gold medal at the Beijing Games last summer. The free agent Lee Jin was lured away from defending league champion SK Wyverns this past offseason.

Other key performers this season will be pitcher Park Myeong Hwan and another free agent, former Heroes infielder Sung Hoon Chung.

“I can see a better team compared to last year. Our new players are very aggressive. Pitching was our biggest problem and we hope to make up this time. We’re here to improve that aspect,” LG skipper Kim told the Saipan Tribune.

Kim was a member of the Twins title-winning squad during their first year in the league in 1990. LG also won the crown in 1994 but have yet to taste champagne again.

Source: Saipan Tribune

Tags: Saipan, South Korea