Bong building confidence

[BERIGAN]

You know they loved using that headline on the AJC.COM

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/b...aves/index.html

Bong excels in bullpen, looks to Cubs showdown

By DAVID O'BRIEN

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Braves reliever Jung Keun Bong was watching the Chicago Cubs game on the clubhouse television Wednesday afternoon, intently eyeing a fellow South Korean rookie, Cubs first baseman Hee Seop Choi.

"Choi," Bong said. "Best friend. We talk almost every day. If I face him this season ... I know what he doesn't like -- pitches outside down and inside up. I want to face him."

Bong has pitched so well (2-0, 1.69 ERA in eight appearances before Wednesday), there's no reason to think the 22-year-old left-hander won't be with the Braves for their July 10-13 series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

"He'd done a fabulous job," manager Bobby Cox said of Bong, who has pitched 9 2/3 scoreless innings in seven appearances since allowing two runs on opening day.

"Young guys are going to emerge this year, and that's great," said closer John Smoltz, who singled out "Bonger doing what he's doing."

Bong was 7-8 with a 3.25 ERA in 27 games (17 starts) last season at Greenville, then boosted his stock with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League. He won a bullpen job with steady work in spring training (1.42 ERA).

His only previous experience above Class AA was an emergency start for the Braves last April, when he lost a 5-2 game against Arizona and Curt Schilling.

But he has looked comfortable and more than held his own. He has allowed six hits and two walks during his 9 2/3 scoreless innings before Wednesday.

Bong and Choi, 24, have known each other since high school in South Korea, and played together on a junior national team that lost to the United States and lefty Rick Ankiel in a 1997 tournament in Canada. Bong was primarily an outfielder at the time.

"We had no clue," Bong said, recalling that game. "A lefty pitcher [Ankiel] who threw 95 mph. We had no chance. He had 15 strikeouts. We lost 4-0."

Edmonds' Waterloo

Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds has been one of finest hitters in the National League since he was traded from Anaheim before the 2000 season.

Unless he's facing the Braves, in which case he's been something entirely different.

Before Wednesday night's two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, he was 2-for-47 (.043) with no RBIs and 18 strikeouts in his past 16 games vs. Atlanta.

Do the Braves do anything different against him than other teams?

"They get me out," Edmonds said. "I don't really know much about [struggling against them]. Somebody mentioned it to me yesterday. I don't read too much into it. I just try to do my job, play the game and have some fun."

A .296 hitter in 11 major league seasons, he entered Wednesday batting .113 (7-for-62) against the Braves, including .077 (3-for-39) at Turner Field.

He has not hit below .218 against any other team in more than 10 at-bats, nor hit below .235 in any other ballpark where he has 15 or more at-bats.

Since driving in four runs with two homers in his first game at Turner on Sept. 24, 2000, Edmonds was 1-for-34 in 10 games at the stadium before Wednesday.

"Lucky," Braves manager Bobby Cox called it. "He's a great player, that guy. He does everything great. Sometimes you make the pitches, sometimes you don't."

Injury updates

First baseman Robert Fick (right shoulder) probably won't require a minor league rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list April 29. He threw without pain Wednesday... Javy Lopez (hamstring) could be back in the lineup as soon as tonight, but the Braves may decide to wait another day or two. They don't need to push it, with backups Henry Blanco and Johnny Estrada playing well.

Edited April 24, 2003 by BERIGAN

[JSngry]

Bong was 7-8 with a 3.25 ERA in 27 games (17 starts) last season at Greenville, then boosted his stock with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League.

Musta changed the water...

[Peter Johnson]

Glad you're starting to get back in the saddle, Jim!

Peter

[Parkertown]

It might need a poke, too...

[Jazzmoose]

This thread is about baseball? What a letdown!!

[chris olivarez]

What happens if he's in the middle of a game and he gets a sudden urge for some oreos?

[Johnny E]

"Young guys are going to emerge this year, and that's great,"

Now pitching for the Mariners, Pooky Chilem. Now playing third base, Harry Blunt. Pinch running for Edgar Martinez, Smokin' Joe Hashpipe.