Korea’s Park signs with MLB’s Twins; USA’s Spruill signs with KBO’s Tigers

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<p>South Korea National Team first baseman Byung-ho Park this week signed a 4-year, $US 12 million contract with MLB’s Minnesota Twins.</p>

<p>Park helped his nation capture the crown of the recent WBSC Premier12 international baseball flagship tournament, hitting a 3-run home run in the finale versus the United States, which Tokyo Dome stadium officials said was the longest home run hit at the dome in 2015.</p>

<p>In 2012 and in 2013, Park was named MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league. He produced 50+ home runs seasons the last two years with the Nexen Heroes.</p>

<p>Park carried a .281 batting average and compiled 210 home runs in the nine seasons in KBO — the top professional sports league in the nation.</p>

<p>In another international signing, KBO’s KIA Tigers announced a one-year agreement with U.S. National Team pitcher Zeke Spruill.</p>

<p>Spruill pitched for the U.S. in the WBSC Premier12, recording one win and 2.87 ERA in three appearances.</p>

<p>Spruill was given the start against South Korea in the opening round of the Premier12 and pitched six shutout innings while allowing only three singles in a no-decision.</p>

<p>Spruill was the winning pitcher in the semifinal match-up against Mexico. He gave up four hits and one run, helping the U.S. to secure a place in the Premier12 championship game.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">

<p dir="ltr" lang="en">REPLAY!!!! Long HOME RUN by Park Byung-ho. Korea 7 US 0 in 4th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Premier12?src=hash">#Premier12</a> <a href="https://t.co/sJif2k2vL4">https://t.co/sJif2k2vL4</a></p>

<p>— WBSC (@WBSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/668031774316871681">November 21, 2015</a></p></blockquote>

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