'Shock': Ko Woo-seok ejected for foreign substance use, why fans insist "That couldn't be true" — Could the KBO's top closer and former national team pitcher really carry such a stain for life?

*This content was translated by AI.

Ko Woo-seok (28), who plays for the Triple-A affiliate of the MLB's Minnesota Twins, was unexpectedly ejected over allegations of violating rules regarding foreign substance use. He was even ejected before he could throw a single pitch.

Ko Woo-seok, who belongs to the Saint Paul Saints, the Triple-A team under Minnesota, made his relief appearance as the third pitcher for his team in the bottom of the 7th inning during a home game against the Columbus Clippers (a Cleveland Guardians affiliate) at CHS Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, on the 25th (Korean time).

Today's game marked Ko Woo-seok's first appearance after being demoted back to Triple-A following a poor performance of one inning with three earned runs in Minnesota on the 21st.

However, while stepping onto the mound, Ko Woo-seok encountered an unforeseen setback. The umpiring crew, led by home plate umpire Steven Hodgkins, paused him during an inspection of his glove.

The umpires then determined that a foreign substance was found on the side where he inserts his hand into the glove. After lengthy discussions, they seized Ko Woo-seok's glove and immediately ordered his ejection.

Standing beside the umpiring crew, Ko Woo-seok displayed an expression of disbelief that went beyond mere absurdity, revealing emotions tinged with anger. Through a translator, he protested his innocence, but his appeal was ultimately rejected.

Since June 2021, MLB has strictly enforced regulations requiring inspections of pitchers' hands, gloves, and uniforms during games to prevent illegal pitching. Under the rules, any pitcher caught possessing or using a foreign substance is immediately ejected and faces a suspension for up to 10 games. The minor league side has not yet announced the official disciplinary measure resulting from Ko Woo-seok's ejection.

However, many fans refuse to believe that Ko Woo-seok would use any illegal pitching substance, insisting "That couldn't be true." Above all, even if he is considered a rookie on the U.S. stage, he is already a veteran who dominated the KBO League as Korea's top closer. Could someone like him, who undergoes rigorous inspections every time, have given in to momentary temptation and used a foreign substance? That itself seems absurd.

Moreover, this is not merely a matter of a few-game suspension. Ko Woo-seok is a pitcher who has even worn the national team jersey with the Taegeuk mark. If he were actually caught using an illegal substance, it would leave him with an ugly and shameful stain for life. That is why fans continue to trust Ko Woo-seok and are largely inclined to quietly await the outcome. In fact, during his ejection, Ko Woo-seok displayed a very unjust expression. Had he not used any illegal substance as expected, this ejection would have been so unfair that it could make him jump in outrage from his perspective.

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*This content was translated by AI.