KBO Fines Korean Teams That Sent Money to Ex-Ump Choi

South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) fined three teams 10 million won ($9,230) each for wiring money to disgraced KBO umpire Choi Kyu-Soon in 2012 and 2013. Choi was indicted on gambling and fraud charges in October 2017 and last umpired KBO baseball during the 2013 season.

Former KBO ump Choi Kyu-Soon (C).
Photo from YonHap News Agency.

Choi's purported misconduct goes beyond simply taking money from baseball teams, allegedly borrowing 35 million won ($30,900) from the clubs plus friends, and then failing to pay them back.

Choi allegedly gambled away most of the borrowed money, with prosectors clearing Choi of the more sinister charge of match-fixing or bribery: Choi allegedly engaged in "personal misdeeds," though officials declined to state the precise nature of Choi's gambling and wagers.

According to YonHap News Agency, the Samsung Lions, Nexen Heroes, and Kia Tigers are the three KBO clubs accused of paying Choi in violation of KBO rules prohibiting financial transactions of any kind between club employees and umpires.

The alleged wire transfers are as follows:
> Samsung to Choi, 4 million won (about $3,700) in 2013;
> Next Heroes, 3 million won (about $2,800) in 2013;
> Kia Tigers, 1 million won (about $925) in 2012;
> Kia Tigers, 1 million won (about $925) in 2013.

Triple-A Call-Up and Fill-In Outlook - 2017 Results

With the 2017 season in the books, we revisit MLB Umpire Observer's hiring outlook and MiLB roundup of Triple-A call-up umpires, with analysis and numbers updated for the offseason. The following list is a follow-up to similar analytics compiled at the 2017 All-Star Break (ASB). Three Tiers are discussed: Tier 1 is classed as most likely to be imminently hired, Tier 2 follows with a year or more remaining in development and Tier 3 are the newest umpires. Casualties are in red.
Related Post: Future MLB Umpire Hiring Outlook at the Break (7/14/17).

Stu Scheurwater - (100 games in 3 years + 153 games in 2017 = 253 total), age in 2018: 35.
ASB Power Ranking: 1. Most likely to be hired full-time in 2018.
End of Year Ranking: 1 (-). Most likely to be hired full-time in 2018. Tier 1 leader.

Chris Segal - (248 games in 3 years + 124 games in 2017 = 372 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 7. Tier 2 - likely to be hired in 2019, but possibly not 2018.
End of Year Ranking: 2 (↑5). Heaviest post-ASB use (77 games), Tier 1 looking for imminent hire.

Ryan Blakney - (230 games in 2 years + 119 games in 2017 = 349 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 6. Likely to be hired either this or next offseason.
End of Year Ranking: 3 (↑3). Heavy usage post-ASB (68 games), Tier 1 fast-tracking behind Segal.

Chad Whitson - (67 games in 3 years + 124 games in 2017 = 191 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 2. Steadily climbing, in line for hiring after next season.
End of Year Ranking: 4 (↓2). Heavy usage post-ASB (60 games), should be first or second in Tier 2.

Nic Lentz - (105 games in 1 year + 109 games in 2017 = 214 total), age in 2018: 28.
ASB Power Ranking: 5. Very likely to remain on constant call-up duty while gaining MLB experience.
End of Year Ranking: 5 (-). Schedule suggests a strong developmental preference to lead Tier 3.

Tom Woodring (192 games in 3 years + 107 games in 2017 = 299 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 4. Unclear how he is perceived by League brass.
End of Year Ranking: 6 (↓2). A reversal from just 36 games in 2016, another year+ as mid-Tier 2.

Ben May - (187 games in 3 years + 104 games in 2017 = 291 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 9. Filler call-up as younger umpires are developed (based on 36 games at ASB).
End of Year Ranking: 7 (↑2). Heavy usage post-ASB (68 games) suggests a second look is in play.

Ramon De Jesus - (97 games in 1 year + 81 games in 2017 = 178 total), age in 2018: 34.
ASB Power Ranking: 8. Wobbler between Tiers 1 and 2.
End of Year Ranking: 8 (-). Likely amongst top candidates in Tier 2 or 2019 and beyond class.

Sean Barber - (217 games in 3 years + 67 games in 2017 = 284 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 13. Not seen in baseball's immediate full-time future.
End of Year Ranking: 9 (↑4). Heavy usage post-ASB (54 games), Low Tier 2 candidate.

Roberto Ortiz - (8 games in 1 year + 66 games in 2017 = 74 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 12. 'Tweener looking for at least 60 games by year's end as an encouraging sign.
End of Year Ranking: 10 (↑2). Solid potential Tier 3 umpire for pipeline development.

Ryan Additon - (rookie + 55 games in 2017 = 55 total), age in 2018: 32.
ASB Power Ranking: 14. Promising young rookie.
End of Year Ranking: 11 (↑3). Mid-Tier 3 umpire with room for development and growth.

Shane Livensparger - (rookie + 40 games in 2017 = 40 total), age in 2018: 34.
ASB Power Ranking: 11. Looking for further development in 2018 and beyond.
End of Year Ranking: 12 (↓1). Mid-Tier 3 umpire behind Additon.

Nick Mahrley - (rookie + 31 games in 2017 = 31 total), age in 2018: 35.
ASB Power Ranking: 16. Freshest of all new call-ups for 2017; only one to debut post-ASG.
End of Year Ranking: 13 (↑3). Fairly optimistic schedule during the second half of 2017.

John Libka - (rookie + 19 games in 2017), age in 2018: 31.
ASB Power Ranking: 15. Bottom of Tier 3 amongst the call-up class of 2017.
End of Year Ranking: 14 (↑1).

Clint Fagan - (453 games in 6 years + 69 games in 2017 = 522 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 3. Possible hire in 2018 IF persevering through constantly getting passed over.
End of Year Ranking: 15 (↓12). Largest fall; a casualty of MLB's failure to hire while he was primed.

Toby Basner - (323 games in 5 years + 26 games in 2017), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 10. Phasing out started in 2015 and continued in 2017. Looking like release.
End of Year Ranking: 16 (↓6). Second-largest fall behind Fagan; writing on the wall, this is the end.

---

Umpires that may retire in the next couple of years: Gerry Davis, Dana DeMuth, Joe West, Gary Cederstrom, Tom Hallion, Phil Cuzzi, Jerry Layne, Larry Vanover, Dale Scott (in relation to his April 14 injury), Kerwin Danley (for no other reason than unrelenting history of head trauma).