Ma Jung-kil

Ma Jung-kil (Korean: 마정길; Hanja: 馬正吉; born March 13, 1979 in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do) is a South Korean sidearm relief pitcher who plays for the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed.

In this Korean name, the family name is Ma.
Ma Jung-kil
Nexen Heroes – No. 21
Relief pitcher
Born: (1979-03-13) March 13, 1979
Bats: Right Throws: Right
KBO debut
2002, for the Hanwha Eagles
KBO statistics
(through 2012 Season)
Win–loss record13-16
Saves13
Holds40
Earned run average3.98
Strikeouts350
Teams

Amateur career

Ma attended Cheongju Technical High School. In 1997, he was selected for the South Korean junior national team and competed in the World Junior Baseball Championship held in Moncton, Canada. Ma was drafted by the Hanwha Eagles in 1998 in the 2nd round and as the 111th pick overall.

However, Ma decided to enter the Eagles after graduation from college and continued to play baseball at Dankook University in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do. During his collegiate years at Dankook University, Ma was considered one of the top sidearm/submarine pitchers along with Chong Tae-Hyon of Kyung Hee University. As a sophomore, he was first called up to the South Korea national baseball team for the 3-Nations Invitational Baseball Tournament held in Taiwan.

In 2000, Ma helped his team to win the President's Flag Collegiate Baseball Championship. After the championship, he was selected for the South Korean collegiate national team and competed in the friendly baseball series again the United States national baseball team.

As a senior in 2001, Ma led his team to win the National Amateur Baseball Championship where he was named best pitcher.

Notable international careers
Year Venue Competition Team
 1997   Canada  World Junior Baseball Championship 5th
 1999    Chinese Taipei   3 Nations Invitational Baseball Tournament 
 2000    United States   South Korea vs USA Baseball Series   1W-4L 
 2001    Chinese Taipei   Asian Baseball Championship 

Professional career

Upon graduation from Dankook University in 2002, Ma entered the Hanwha Eagles. He had a mediocre rookie season, going 2-5 with 6 saves and 6 holds in 59 games and posted a 5.40 ERA in 60.0 innings pitched as a relief pitcher. In 2003, Ma lowered his ERA to 4.06 and amassed 2 saves and 9 holds appearing in 63 games as a setup man. In 2004, however, he appeared in just 33 games due to injuries. After the 2004 season, Ma left the Unicorns to serve the two-year military service.

Ma joined the Hanwha Eagles again in 2007 when he was discharged from the military duty.

Ma was sidelined with a left knee ligament rupture in the second half of the 2011 season and missed the entire 2012 season.

Notable international careers
Year Venue Competition  Team 
 2002    Cuba   Intercontinental Cup 
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