Only .400 hitter in S. Korean baseball history dies

Baek In-chun, the sole individual to achieve a .400 batting average in a South Korean professional baseball season, passed away on Friday at the age of 82, according to officials. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) reported that Baek was discovered experiencing cardiac arrest at his residence in Cheonan, situated approximately 90 kilometers south of Seoul.

He was promptly transported to a nearby medical facility, where he was declared dead around 6:30 a.m. local time. Baek had endured four cerebral infarctions in the past few years, though those familiar with him stated that he had appeared to be in relatively good health during his routine medical examination on Thursday. Baek held the distinction of being the only player in KBO history to surpass the .400 batting average in a single season; he had achieved this remarkable feat as player-manager for MBC Chungyong, now known as the LG Twins, during the inaugural KBO season in 1982.

In recognition of his outstanding batting prowess, the Korea Pro Baseball Players Alumni Association established the Baek In-chun Award in 2014, which annually honors the highest-performing high school or college hitter. Following his retirement from playing, Baek transitioned into a coaching role and later became a manager within the KBO.

In 1990, he was honored as Manager of the Year for the Twins, having guided the team to victory in the Korean Series.