Yakult Swallows closer Lim Chang-yong became the first Korean to be voted an All-Star player by fans in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
The NPB announced on its official Web site Monday that Lim got a berth to the baseball stars’ festival with
299,835 votes.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Katsuhiro Nagakawa was second with about 38,000 votes less than Lim. Nagakawa is ranked first in the save standings in the Central League.
Yomiuri Giants slugger Lee Seung-yeop, Samsung Lions manager and former Chunichi Dragons closer Sun Dong-yeol, Hanwha Eagles pitcher and former Orix Buffaloes lefty pitcher Koo Dae-sung and former Giants pitcher Cho Sung-min have played in the event previously. But all of them were picked by managers.
Lim, dubbed “Mr. Zero” is ranked third in the save standings with 18 and an ERA of zero over 30 2/3 innings