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Dae-Sung Koo still getting outs at 53 years old

ByDavid Hill|
FLUSHING, NY - MAY 22: Pitcher Dae-Sung Koo #17 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the game at Shea Stadium on May 22, 2005 in Flushing, New York. The Yankees defeated the Mets 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY - MAY 22: Pitcher Dae-Sung Koo #17 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the game at Shea Stadium on May 22, 2005 in Flushing, New York. The Yankees defeated the Mets 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Legendary Korean Baseball Organization closer Dae-Sung Koo may be 53 years old, but that is not going to stop him from getting outs.

Koo suited up for Geelong Korea in the Australian Baseball League after signing with them earlier this week. His 2022-23 debut was remarkable as he fired a scoreless inning, striking out two of the batters he faced.

Dae-Sung Koo shows age is just a number with Australian Baseball League outing

As Geelong Korea was trailing 7-0 in the bottom of the eighth, this was not the type of outing Koo was used to in his glory days. His velocity is not there any longer which is to be expected. And yet, he fired a perfect inning on 19 pitches, striking out those two batters around a grounder to short.

Koo was a star in the KBO during his time with the Hanwha Eagles. He posted a 2.85 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP in his 1128.2 innings, notching 214 saves while striking out 1221 batters with 415 walks. There was no question that Koo was a difference maker in the back of the bullpen.

His professional career spanned four different leagues in four countries. He spent four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball before heading stateside where he spent a season with the Mets. After that time in the majors, Koo returned to the Eagles for five years before beginning his time in Australia.

This is not the first time Koo has come out of retirement to appear in the ABL. He had returned for an inning during the 2018-19 season as well, making his first appearance for Geelong Korea. He surrendered a hit and a walk in that inning of work, although he did not give up a run.

That outing also put Koo in very exclusive company. He has now pitched professionally in four different decades, something that only 30 major league players have done in league history. Only seven major league players appeared in a game after turning 50 as well, something that Koo also accomplished in his outing.

Dae-Sung Koo showed that he may still have a bit left in the tank. The KBO legend came out of retirement to fire a perfect inning for Geelong Korea.

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