Former MLB Player Kang Jung-ho Reflects on Baseball Career and Infamous DUI: 'I Could Have Died If Not for That Incident'

Former Major League Baseball player Kang Jung-ho has opened up about his baseball career and the aftermath of his drunk driving incident through his YouTube channel, 'Kang Jung-ho_King Kang.' He confessed his past wrongdoings, stating, "I could have died if not for that incident," and revealed how the experience profoundly changed him.

Kang described his time with the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) as his golden era. "During my last days with the Heroes, everything was perfect. The team, my performance, my personal stats – it was all ideal. That season, looking towards America, was the happiest in my life," he reminisced. He dominated the KBO in 2014 and became the first Korean hitter to successfully transition directly to Major League Baseball.

Upon joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, he secured a starting position from his rookie season, impressing with his play. He even ranked third in Rookie of the Year voting (NL), redefining the potential for Asian infielders. However, his career took a sharp downturn following a drunk driving accident upon his return to Korea in 2016.

Kang was involved in a hit-and-run incident in Gangnam, Seoul, where he collided with a car in front of him and a guardrail. His blood alcohol content was 0.084%, which warrants license suspension, and this marked his third DUI offense.

Reflecting on his MLB days, Kang shared, "I was consumed by daily competition. The pressure to perform was immense, and I was a lonely player fighting my own battles." He then made a candid admission: "Honestly, if not for that incident, I would have fallen to a deeper abyss. That event changed my life," he confessed, acknowledging his past mistakes and how they served as a turning point.

He noted that his perspective on people changed after the accident. "Before, I thought being evaluated solely by results was everything. Now, I look more at the process. A phrase I like these days is 'Let's treat people kindly,'" he said with a smile, indicating a positive shift in his outlook.

Currently operating a baseball academy in the United States, Kang still harbors a passion for the game. "I have tryouts coming up. I want to feel the tension and cheers of competition once more. Baseball was my entire life, and it's still the driving force that moves me," he added, expressing his desire to return to the field.

Korean netizens reacted to Kang's candid confession with comments like: "A courageous admission," "We support you as you start anew, forgetting the past," and "We look forward to seeing you on the mound again."