Baek In-chun, Korea's only .400 hitter, dies at 84

Baek In-chun, a legendary figure in Korean professional baseball and the sole player to achieve a .400 batting average, passed away on August 15th at the age of 84. His death followed a critical health situation that initially led to a report of his passing, only for his vital signs to briefly stabilize before his final moments.

Baek had been rushed to a hospital early on August 14th after suffering cardiac arrest due to a worsening cerebral infarction at his home in Cheonan. Although he was resuscitated and regained a pulse, his condition remained critical. He was transferred to Dankook University Hospital for ongoing treatment, where he ultimately passed away.

Born in Wuxi, China, in 1942, Baek had a distinguished career that included playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball before returning to Korea. In 1982, the inaugural season of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), he achieved his historic .412 batting average while playing and managing for MBC Cheongryong. This remarkable feat remains unbroken in Korean baseball history.

Following his playing career, Baek served as a manager for several KBO teams, including the LG Twins, Samsung Lions, and Lotte Giants. He also worked as a hitting instructor and later as a baseball commentator. The KBO has announced that Baek's funeral will be conducted as the second KBO-designated funeral, honoring his significant contributions to the sport.

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He was taken to a nearby hospital after being transported by ambulance in a state of cardiac arrest at his home in Cheonan City, Chungnam, around 6 a.m. the previous day, and after receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, his blood pressure and pulse were restored, but his critical condition continued.