Atlanta Daily World

South Korean Baseball Player Apologizes For Calling Opposing Pitcher 'Too Black'

South Korean first baseman Kim Tae Kyun is under scrutiny after making some seemingly racist comments about African-American Korea Baseball Organization player Shane Youman.

When asked which pitcher he dreaded facing the most, Kyun answered, "The Lotte Giants' Youman is the most difficult player to play against. His face is too black, so it is hard to bat because his white teeth and the ball confuses me when he smiles on the mound. So, I suffered a lot."

According to Global Post, Kyun insists his comments were taken out of context.

"I was just trying to say that Youman was a good pitcher because he has deception in his delivery that makes it hard to read at the plate," he said. "I have played in Japan and I know how hard it is for a player to adapt to a different culture. I am very close with the foreign players on my team like Denny Bautista (Dominican Republic)."

Kyun has since apologized to Youman, calling him "a great player."

Youman, a Louisiana native, said he took the comments as Kyun trying to be funny and failing to think about the consequences, he told South Korean magazine Haps.

"People make mistakes," Youman said.

South Korea is one of the most homogeneous societies in the world, with more than 99 percent of its population being of Korean decent. They even refer to themselves as "Dan-il minjok gun ga," meaning "the single race society," according to The Korea Herald.

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Hawks Announce SportsRadio 92.9 as New Flagship Station

The Atlanta Hawks today announced that beginning July 1 CBS RADIO's SportsRadio 92-9 The Game will become the official flagship station of the team.

As part of a multi-year agreement, beginning with the 2013-14 season, 92-9 The Game will broadcast all NBA regular season and postseason basketball games played by the Atlanta Hawks, all pregame and postgame broadcasts and create dedicated Hawks programming with their on-air basketball talent including Rick Kamla, Sam Mitchell and Dennis Scott. Long-time voice of the Atlanta Hawks, Steve Holman, will continue his role as play-by-play announcer with 92-9 The Game, adding to his 2,050th consecutive game broadcast.

"Entering into a partnership with 92-9 The Game will create exciting opportunities for both the Atlanta Hawks and our new flagship," said Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. "CBS RADIO's sports talk investment in the greater Atlanta market, the NBA and the Hawks, boasting one of the most powerful signal strengths in the Southeast, means more Hawks fans than ever will be able to follow and support our team and interact with the basketball savvy on-air talent at 92-9 The Game 24 hours a day, year-round."

"We are very excited to partner with the Atlanta Hawks organization," said Rick Caffey, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for CBS RADIO Atlanta. "Danny Ferry, Coach Bud and the Team are launching a new era of Hawks basketball and 92-9 the Game is very proud to play a part in bringing the vivacity of the NBA to fans across the entire metro of Atlanta."

Beginning at 9:00 a.m., SportsRadio 92-9 The Game will celebrate the new partnership with special guests from the Hawks including General Manager Danny Ferry, players Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia, alumni Dominique Wilkins and Charlie Criss, call-ins from new Head Coach Mike Budenholzer and Hawks player Lou Williams, and more.

For more information about the Atlanta Hawks, please visit www.hawks.com. For more information about SportsRadio 92-9 The Game, visit www.929TheGame.com.

Calvin Johnson to Award Six College Scholarships at Atlanta Benefit

Calvin Johnson, a standout wide receiver for the NFL's Detroit Lions and former Georgia Tech star, will be hosting his Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation gala in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center.

The event – which alternates between Detroit and Atlanta – will take place on June 22. The event honors six student-athletes who play high school football and awards them with college scholarships. It will begin with a silent auction which features autographed memorabilia signed by Hall of Fame players, Johnson and his Lions teammates.

"We actually may have some sightings from some big-time players in the league from now and the past," said Johnson.

Johnson was a business management major at Georgia Tech but was drafted into the NFL as a junior. He plans on finishing his degreeas soon as he gets the chance.
Until then, Johnson says the scholarship program is his way of giving back and bringing awareness to young people about the importance of a college education.

"(These kids) might play on the next level somewhere, but they've got to understand how important education is," Johnson said. "That's one thing that we are striving to push on those kids is how important it is to get those good grades. Especially in high school, that's when it really counts. I'm hoping it strikes a chord with them."

(Photo: Calvin Johnson, center, with previous scholarship recipients.)