Twelve years ago: Korea earns baseball gold medal in Beijing

Twelve years ago: Korea earns baseball gold medal in Beijing
23/08/2020
The final between Korea and Cuba was as thrilling as a baseball game can be. Trailing by one, Cuba had the bases loaded with just one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Korea defeated Cuba, 3-2, at the end of a thrilling final, to earn an Olympic gold medal on 23 August 2008, becoming the first National Team outside the Americas to claim an Olympic gold medal.

The exciting game was recently part of the Olympic Baseball Rewind series, presented by WBSC in collaboration with the Olympic Channel.

Korea entered the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead. Cuba managed to load the bases with one out against 21-year old left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu. Manager Kyung Moon Kim called from Korea's bullpen submarine veteran closer Tae Hyon Chong to face Cuba's star second baseman Yulieski Gourriel. Chong was quickly ahead in the count. Gourriel swang at the third pitch and grounded into a game-ending double play.

The United States beat Japan, 8-4, and earned a bronze medal. Chinese Taipei finished fifth, followed by Canada, the Netherlands and the hosts China.