Sun Dong-Yeol
Encyclopedia
Sun Dong-Yeol (born January 10, 1963 in Gwangju
, South Korea
) is a retired pitcher
in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager
of Kia Tigers
in the Korea Professional Baseball. He holds the record for lowest Korea Professional Baseball career ERA, 1.20.
baseball team in 1981.
In , Sun competed for the South Korea national junior baseball team in the inaugural World Junior Baseball Championship
. He tossed a six-hit complete game
with 11 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over United States
in Game 1 of the final. South Korea eventually won the inaugural championship by defeating USA 3-2 in Game 2 as well, and Sun shared the MVP Award with Team USA ace
Todd Burns
.
In , Sun was called up to the South Korea national baseball team for the 1982 Baseball World Cup hosted by South Korea
. He led Team Korea to its first champion in the event, posting a 0.31 ERA in 29.0 innings pitched and racking up 3 complete game
wins. In South Korea's second game, Sun started against future MLB star Bill Swift
in a matchup of pitchers and notched a five-hit complete game
victory over Team USA, allowing only one run and posting 15 strikeouts. In South Korea's final game, he threw a complete game
once again in a 5-2 win over Japan
. He was eventually named the MVP and selected to the All-Star team as the best right-handed pitcher
.
In the 1983 Intercontinental Cup
, Sun was named Best Pitcher, going 3-0 including two complete game
shutout
wins.
In August 1984, Sun competed for the South Korea national team in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, where they finished 4th in the baseball tournament. He was 1-1 with a 0.56 ERA and 10 strikeouts, allowing only one earned run
in 16 innings pitched.
In October 1984, Sun competed in the Baseball World Cup again. He was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17.1 innnings pitched, and eventually won the ERA title.
in Daegu
on July 2, 1985. In his inaugural year, he finished with a 7-4 record, a 1.70 ERA, and 103 strikeouts. That season Sun failed to win the Rookie of the Year award, but won the first of seven consecutive ERA titles as a rookie.
In 1986
, Sun dominated the league with a record of 24-6 and an ERA of 0.99 with 214 strikeouts in 262.2 innings pitched, and became the very first pitcher to ever win the Triple Crown
in the KBO history.
In 1987
, Sun was 14-2 with a 0.89 ERA and 144 strikeouts, and won the ERA title again and finished 2nd in wins and 3rd in strikeouts.
In 1988
, Sun was 16-5, notching 200 strikeouts and a 1.21 ERA, and won the ERA and strikeout titles.
In 1989
, Sun finished the year by winning his second pitching's Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (21), ERA (1.17) and strikeouts (198). On July 6, 1989, he recorded the fifth no-hitter
in a complete game shut-out in the KBO history against the Samsung Lions.
In 1990
, Sun won his third pitching's Triple Crown, going 22-6 with a 1.13 ERA and 189 strikeouts, allowing only one home run in 190.1 innings pitched.
In 1991
, Sun grabbed the fourth of his Triple Crowns with a 19-4 record, a 1.55 ERA, and 210 strikeouts.
During the 1992
season, Sun was in the disabled list for several months. Meanwhile, Tigers' manager Kim Eung-Yong intended to use him as a long reliever
or closer
, and Sun was eventually moved into the closer's role as he came back from injury. In 1992, he saved 8 games and compiled a 0.28 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched.
In 1993
, his first full season as a relief pitcher
, Sun finished with a 10-3 record, a league-leading 31 saves, and 164 strikeouts in 126.1 innings pitched. Though it is very rare for a reliever to get enough innings, he became the first closer relief pitcher to win the ERA title with a 0.78 ERA, pitching more than the required innings to qualify for the title.
In 1994
, he had the only mediocre season of his KBO career. He saved only 12 games with a 6-4 record and 94 strikeouts in 102.1 innings pitched, and his 2.73 ERA was the highest of his career.
However, Sun came back strong in 1995
, leading the KBO league with 33 saves and recording a 0.49 ERA in 109.1 innings pitched.
or NPB
. After the announcement, the Chunichi Dragons
and Yomiuri Giants
in NPB swiftly attempted to acquire him to fill bullpen void. On December 1995, Sun managed to sign a contract with the Chunichi Dragons on a four-year loan deal from the Haitai Tigers.
On April 6, 1996
, Sun made his NPB debut against Hiroshima Carp in Nagoya Dome
, appearing in the 9th inning during the save situation, but got a blown save. During his inaugural NPB season, Sun struggled to adjust himself to Japanese style of play, and was sent down to the reserve team of the Dragons several times. He finished the worst year of his career with only 3 saves and a 5.50 ERA, never garnering more than mop-up duties.
After the disastrous debut season, Sun performed strongly in the 1997
season. He led the Central League
in saves, with 38, posting a 1.28 ERA with 68 strikeouts. During the season, he didn't allow any home run in 63.1 innings pitched. Sun also appeared at the 1997 Japan All-Star Game.
Sun continued to dominate the league as an elite closer in 1998
, saving 29 games with a 1.48 ERA and 58 strikeouts.
in 1999
, Sun notched 28 saves (the league's runner-up) and a 2.61 ERA, and allowed only one home run, appearing in 39 games. As a key member of the Chunichi Dragons, he led his team to their first Central League title since 1988.
After the 1999 season, the Chunichi Dragons attempted to renew the contract with Sun as the contract was expired, but the Dragons didn't reach agreement on the new contract with Sun's former team Haitai Tigers, which required another loan for the contract extension.
Amid controversy, Sun announced retirement on November 22, 1999 after he finally failed to sign with the Dragons.
Meanwhile, the Haitai Tigers in the KBO also planned to set his final game with a ceremony in Gwangju, South Korea. However, Sun decided to play his final game in Nagoya, Japan.
On March 6, 2000, Sun started the Dragons' first 2000 pre-season game against the Yomiuri Giants
in Nagoya Dome
, and threw two pitches against Hideki Matsui
, allowing a single in his final pitch. The game was followed by an elaborate retirement ceremony.
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
) is a retired pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of Kia Tigers
Kia Tigers
Kia Tigers Professional Baseball Club is a Korean professional baseball team founded in 1982. The Tigers are a member team of the Korean Baseball Organization and the most successful team in Korean baseball having won the national championship, the Korean Series, ten times, with a perfect 10-0...
in the Korea Professional Baseball. He holds the record for lowest Korea Professional Baseball career ERA, 1.20.
Amateur career
Upon graduation from Gwangju Il High School, Sun joined the Korea UniversityKorea University
Korea University is a prestigious nonsectarian, private research university located primarily in Seoul, South Korea, and one of the SKY universities, a historical acronym used in South Korea to refer to Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. Founded by Lee Yong-ik in...
baseball team in 1981.
In , Sun competed for the South Korea national junior baseball team in the inaugural World Junior Baseball Championship
World Junior Baseball Championship
The IBAF AAA World Junior Championships is an under-18 international baseball competition sponsored by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 1981 in United States...
. He tossed a six-hit complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
with 11 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over United States
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
in Game 1 of the final. South Korea eventually won the inaugural championship by defeating USA 3-2 in Game 2 as well, and Sun shared the MVP Award with Team USA ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Todd Burns
Todd Burns
Todd Edward Burns in Maywood, California, is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher.Burns attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, earning first-team All-America honors before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 7th round of the 1984 MLB amateur draft...
.
In , Sun was called up to the South Korea national baseball team for the 1982 Baseball World Cup hosted by South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. He led Team Korea to its first champion in the event, posting a 0.31 ERA in 29.0 innings pitched and racking up 3 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
wins. In South Korea's second game, Sun started against future MLB star Bill Swift
Bill Swift
William Charles Swift is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.After graduating South Portland High School, Swift attended the University of Maine. Swift pitched for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was a first-round draft pick by the Seattle Mariners following his senior year at Maine...
in a matchup of pitchers and notched a five-hit complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
victory over Team USA, allowing only one run and posting 15 strikeouts. In South Korea's final game, he threw a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
once again in a 5-2 win over Japan
Japan national baseball team
The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009...
. He was eventually named the MVP and selected to the All-Star team as the best right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
.
In the 1983 Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (baseball)
The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999....
, Sun was named Best Pitcher, going 3-0 including two complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
wins.
In August 1984, Sun competed for the South Korea national team in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, where they finished 4th in the baseball tournament. He was 1-1 with a 0.56 ERA and 10 strikeouts, allowing only one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
in 16 innings pitched.
In October 1984, Sun competed in the Baseball World Cup again. He was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17.1 innnings pitched, and eventually won the ERA title.
Notable international careers
| Year | Venue | Competition | Team | Individual Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | World Junior Baseball Championship World Junior Baseball Championship The IBAF AAA World Junior Championships is an under-18 international baseball competition sponsored by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 1981 in United States... |
 |
3-0, 0.38 ERA (3 G, 24.0 IP, 1 ER, 36 K) MVP |
|
| 1982 | Baseball World Cup | |
3-0, 0.31 ERA (4 G, 29.0 IP, 1 ER, 30 K) MVP, All-Star (P Pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... ), Wins Win (baseball) In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only... title |
|
| 1983 | Asian Baseball Championship Asian Baseball Championship The Asian Baseball Championship is the main championship tournament between national baseball teams in Asia, governed by the Baseball Federation of Asia . It is held every other year in odd-numbered years and since 1983 it also functions as the qualification games for the Baseball at the Summer... |
|
1-0, 1.17 ERA (2 G, 15.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 R) | |
| 1983 | Intercontinental Cup Intercontinental Cup (baseball) The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999.... |
5th | All-Star (P Pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... ) |
|
| 1984 | Olympic Games Baseball at the 1984 Summer Olympics Baseball at the 1984 Summer Olympics was a demonstration sport. Although single exhibition games had been played in conjunction with five previous Olympics, it was the first time that the sport was officially included in the program, and also the first time that the sport was played in Olympics... |
4th | 1-1, 0.56 ERA (3 G, 16.0 IP, 1 ER, 10 K) | |
| 1984 | Baseball World Cup | 5th | 1-1, 0.00 ERA (4 G, 17.1 IP, 0 ER, 20 K) ERA Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine... title |
|
| 1985 | Asian Baseball Championship Asian Baseball Championship The Asian Baseball Championship is the main championship tournament between national baseball teams in Asia, governed by the Baseball Federation of Asia . It is held every other year in odd-numbered years and since 1983 it also functions as the qualification games for the Baseball at the Summer... |
 |
||
Haitai Tigers
Signed by the Haitai Tigers, Sun made his debut in the KBO league against the Samsung LionsSamsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
in Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
on July 2, 1985. In his inaugural year, he finished with a 7-4 record, a 1.70 ERA, and 103 strikeouts. That season Sun failed to win the Rookie of the Year award, but won the first of seven consecutive ERA titles as a rookie.
In 1986
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
, Sun dominated the league with a record of 24-6 and an ERA of 0.99 with 214 strikeouts in 262.2 innings pitched, and became the very first pitcher to ever win the Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
in the KBO history.
In 1987
1987 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals ; Frank Viola, MVP**American League Championship Series: Gary Gaetti, MVP**National League Championship Series: Jeff Leonard, MVP...
, Sun was 14-2 with a 0.89 ERA and 144 strikeouts, and won the ERA title again and finished 2nd in wins and 3rd in strikeouts.
In 1988
1988 in baseball
See also: 1988 Major League Baseball season-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics ; Orel Hershiser, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dennis Eckersley...
, Sun was 16-5, notching 200 strikeouts and a 1.21 ERA, and won the ERA and strikeout titles.
In 1989
1989 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants ; Dave Stewart, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Rickey Henderson*National League Championship Series MVP: Will Clark...
, Sun finished the year by winning his second pitching's Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (21), ERA (1.17) and strikeouts (198). On July 6, 1989, he recorded the fifth no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in a complete game shut-out in the KBO history against the Samsung Lions.
In 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
, Sun won his third pitching's Triple Crown, going 22-6 with a 1.13 ERA and 189 strikeouts, allowing only one home run in 190.1 innings pitched.
In 1991
1991 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over Atlanta Braves ; Jack Morris, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirby Puckett*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Avery...
, Sun grabbed the fourth of his Triple Crowns with a 19-4 record, a 1.55 ERA, and 210 strikeouts.
During the 1992
1992 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves ; Pat Borders, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Roberto Alomar*National League Championship Series MVP: John Smoltz...
season, Sun was in the disabled list for several months. Meanwhile, Tigers' manager Kim Eung-Yong intended to use him as a long reliever
Long reliever
A Long reliever is a type of relief pitcher in baseball.Long relievers traditionally enter early in a game when the starting pitcher cannot continue, whether due to ineffective pitching, lack of endurance, rain delays, injury, or ejection...
or closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
, and Sun was eventually moved into the closer's role as he came back from injury. In 1992, he saved 8 games and compiled a 0.28 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched.
In 1993
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
, his first full season as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, Sun finished with a 10-3 record, a league-leading 31 saves, and 164 strikeouts in 126.1 innings pitched. Though it is very rare for a reliever to get enough innings, he became the first closer relief pitcher to win the ERA title with a 0.78 ERA, pitching more than the required innings to qualify for the title.
In 1994
1994 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason is played...
, he had the only mediocre season of his KBO career. He saved only 12 games with a 6-4 record and 94 strikeouts in 102.1 innings pitched, and his 2.73 ERA was the highest of his career.
However, Sun came back strong in 1995
1995 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians ; Tom Glavine, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at The Ballpark in Arlington: National League, 3-2; Jeff Conine, MVP-Other champions:...
, leading the KBO league with 33 saves and recording a 0.49 ERA in 109.1 innings pitched.
Chunichi Dragons
After the 1995 KBO season, Sun announced that he would leave the KBO league for a move to either MLBMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
or NPB
NPB
NPB can refer to:* NAS Parallel Benchmarks, a set of benchmarks developed by the NASA for measuring the performance of supercomputers* National Printing Bureau of Japan...
. After the announcement, the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
and Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
in NPB swiftly attempted to acquire him to fill bullpen void. On December 1995, Sun managed to sign a contract with the Chunichi Dragons on a four-year loan deal from the Haitai Tigers.
On April 6, 1996
1996 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; John Wetteland, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López...
, Sun made his NPB debut against Hiroshima Carp in Nagoya Dome
Nagoya Dome
Nagoya Dome , constructed in 1997, is a baseball field, located in the city of Nagoya, Japan. The dome has the capacity to seat up to 38,414 people . It is an example of a geodesic dome....
, appearing in the 9th inning during the save situation, but got a blown save. During his inaugural NPB season, Sun struggled to adjust himself to Japanese style of play, and was sent down to the reserve team of the Dragons several times. He finished the worst year of his career with only 3 saves and a 5.50 ERA, never garnering more than mop-up duties.
After the disastrous debut season, Sun performed strongly in the 1997
1997 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians ; Liván Hernández, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández...
season. He led the Central League
Central League
The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
in saves, with 38, posting a 1.28 ERA with 68 strikeouts. During the season, he didn't allow any home run in 63.1 innings pitched. Sun also appeared at the 1997 Japan All-Star Game.
Sun continued to dominate the league as an elite closer in 1998
1998 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Greg Vaughn all hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break and engage in a historic chase for Roger Maris's single-season record of 61 home runs...
, saving 29 games with a 1.48 ERA and 58 strikeouts.
in 1999
1999 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; Mariano Rivera, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Orlando Hernández**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Eddie Pérez...
, Sun notched 28 saves (the league's runner-up) and a 2.61 ERA, and allowed only one home run, appearing in 39 games. As a key member of the Chunichi Dragons, he led his team to their first Central League title since 1988.
After the 1999 season, the Chunichi Dragons attempted to renew the contract with Sun as the contract was expired, but the Dragons didn't reach agreement on the new contract with Sun's former team Haitai Tigers, which required another loan for the contract extension.
Amid controversy, Sun announced retirement on November 22, 1999 after he finally failed to sign with the Dragons.
Meanwhile, the Haitai Tigers in the KBO also planned to set his final game with a ceremony in Gwangju, South Korea. However, Sun decided to play his final game in Nagoya, Japan.
On March 6, 2000, Sun started the Dragons' first 2000 pre-season game against the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
in Nagoya Dome
Nagoya Dome
Nagoya Dome , constructed in 1997, is a baseball field, located in the city of Nagoya, Japan. The dome has the capacity to seat up to 38,414 people . It is an example of a geodesic dome....
, and threw two pitches against Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui
is a Japanese Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York...
, allowing a single in his final pitch. The game was followed by an elaborate retirement ceremony.