Lim Chang-yong

Lim Chang-yong (; ; born June 30, 1976) is a former South Korean professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and KBO League baseball. In the KBO, Lim ranks among the top ten pitchers in terms of career wins, strikeouts, and saves.

Career Lim is a 5 ft 11 in, 175 lb right-handed sidearm pitcher. He could throw a four-seam fastball, though the pitch usually sat at 93–95 mph (150–153 km/h). His signature pitch was his two-seam fastball which, due to its unique tailing movement earned the nickname "Serpent fastball" (뱀직구). His other pitches included a high 70s slider with a sharp horizontal break, a mid 80s forkball, and a rarely used slow-curveball. He was one of the few pitchers who could pitch in multiple pitching forms. Lim pitched primarily sidearm and underhand, but could pitch from the three-quarters motion at will.

KBO (1995–2007) Haitai Tigers Lim made his pro debut in 1995 with the Haitai Tigers in Korea Baseball Organization, and was regularly picked for the South Korean baseball team as a relief pitcher since the 1998 Asian Games, and won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and two Asian Game gold medals in 1998 and 2002.

Samsung Lions Though predominantly known as a closer, Lim was converted to a starting pitcher in 2001, and spent three years as the Samsung Lions' starter before returning to the bullpen in 2004. There was interest from Major League squads, but Lim decided to stay in South Korea.

NPB (2008–2012) Tokyo Yakult Swallows In late 2007, Lim was signed by Japan's Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the hopes of bolstering their weak bullpen. In the 2008 NPB season, he recorded 33 saves (5th in the NPB league) with a 3.00 ERA in 51 innings pitched.

In the 2009 NPB season, he recorded a 0.00 ERA for a few months, earning his nickname "Mr.Zero", and was also featured in the 2009 NPB All-star Game as a closer for the Central League team. He was sent down to the reserve squad after his ERA rose to 1.84 in a short stint, but he was brought back to strengthen Yakult's weak bullpen, which was responsible for its recent losses.

Lim had his second Tommy John surgery in July 2012.

MLB (2013) Chicago Cubs After the 2012 season, Lim agreed to a contract with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. The Cubs promoted Lim to the major leagues on September 4, 2013. After the season, Lim was non-tendered by Chicago, becoming a free agent. The Cubs re-signed him to a minor league contract. He was released on March 24, 2014.

KBO (2014–2018) Second stint with Lions After being released by the Cubs, Lim signed up with Samsung Lions of KBO League (South Korea). In 2014 season, he recorded 31 saves with 5.84 ERA. However, in 2015 season he showed better performance of 33 saves, 2.83 ERA.

Lim was released after 2015 season for illegal gambling.

Second stint with Tigers Lim played with the Tigers for the second time in 2016–2018. On March 11, 2019, he announced his retirement.