Adios Cuba as South Korea win last Olympic baseball title

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — South Korea won what could be the last Olympic baseball gold medal on Saturday, dethroning three-time champions Cuba 3-2 in a dramatic final.

Chong Tae-Hyon took the mound with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the single-run Korean lead amid a furious Cuban rally, and the right-handed submarine thrower from Inchon-based club SK did not blink.

The 29 year-old ace closer threw three pressure-packed perfect pitches, just after the Puerto Rican umpire had thrown out starting catcher Kang Min-Ho for dissent.

After two strikes, Chong's last pitch got Yuliesky Gourriel to hit into a tournament-ending double play.

"I'd like to take some risks on the field. I'd like to be active rather than passive," said Korean manager...