Jung Ho Kang has finally broken his silence.
Kang, back in the United States after not being allowed into the country for more than a year, released a statement through the Pirates Friday afternoon, apologizing for his actions and expressing excitement for his second chance to reach the major leagues.
Kang, 31, has been on Major League Baseball’s restricted list since the beginning of the 2017 season after being denied re-entry into the country, and the Pirates announced Thursday that he finally was granted a visa. After fulfilling obligations under MLB’s Treatment Program, to which he agreed in January of last year, he will report to Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., and work his way back into playing shape. He will remain on the restricted list through that period.
“Most importantly, I want to apologize to my family, friends, teammates, the Pirates organization, Pirates fans and anyone else who has been negatively affected by my regretful actions," Kang said in the statement. "I am deeply sorry. I am very grateful to the U.S. government for giving me a second chance to demonstrate my pride in and appreciation for being allowed to continue my dream of playing Major League Baseball in the United States. I am also thankful for the support of Major League Baseball, the Pirates, my teammates and our fans. Their strong support has been a driving force and motivation for me during the past year.”
Pirates president Frank Coonelly released a statement Thursday; however, neither he nor Neal Huntington were made available to the media. Kang has not played in a game for the Pirates since Oct. 2, 2016, and he crashed a BMW through a guard rail in Seoul, South Korea less than three months later. He was later convicted of driving under the influence, receiving an eight-month suspended sentence in March 2017, and he lost an appeal in May. Kang was not granted a visa — it was his third DUI in South Korea — and was unable to play for the Pirates in 2017.
Kang hit 21 home runs with a .354 on-base percentage in 103 games in 2016, and he was accused of sexual assault in June 2016, although charges were not filed against him after investigators could not locate his accuser. He was also a key cog for the Pirates’ 98-win season in 2015, batting .287/.355/.461 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 126 games, finishing third in rookie of the year voting for the season after he played nine years in the Korea Baseball Organization.
“After a long, painful process, I am excited to have a chance to return to the game that I have missed so much," Kang continued. "My focus is first on becoming the best person that I can be. Secondly, I look forward to getting to Pirate City and demonstrating that I am committed to doing whatever I can to get back to Pittsburgh and help the Pirates win. I will not disappoint anyone anymore.”
The Pirates announced this will be Kang's only public statement, but he will be made available to reporters once he gets closer to game action.
Kang’s return to baseball began in October, when he joined Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League, but he was released after batting .143/.219/.202 with only three extra-base hits, including one home run, and 31 strikeouts to eight walks in 24 games.
According to Daum.net, a Korean-language news website, Kang returned to the Dominican Republic in January in an effort to obtain a work visa to enter the United States.
His whereabouts since have been unknown, and the Pirates have yet to release details on how he acquired the visa. In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, MLB’s Treatment Board reviewed Kang’s case in January and he agreed to enter a rehabilitation program.
Per MLB’s Joint Drug Program, participation in such a program “shall be considered as a mitigating factor in any discipline imposed” by the Pirates or the commissioner’s office. Kang reportedly struggled to hit breaking pitches in winter ball, which led to his release. He’ll likely train at Pirate City before joining one of the club’s minor-league affiliates.
