(2nd LD) Ex-S. Korean baseball player dies after 10 yrs in vegetative state

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS cause of death, details of Lim's records, quotes by former
teammates etc.; INSERTS father's name in 3rd para)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- A former South Korean baseball player died at a Seoul
hospital Sunday after spending nearly 10 years in a vegetative state, his family
said. He was 41.
Lim Soo-hyuk, former catcher of pro baseball team the Lotte Giants, had been in a
vegetative state since he collapsed after having trouble breathing during a game
in 2000. He did not immediately receive emergency treatment after his collapse, a
factor that likely worsened his condition.
"He had been healthy but was moved to the hospital two days ago when he suddenly
ran a high fever," said his father, Lim Yun-bin, who had cared for his son at a
center near his home. "After suffering from (the fever) coupled with trouble
breathing, he passed away today."
Lim Soo-hyuk died of an acute heart attack and complications from ischemic brain
damage at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital in eastern Seoul, according to doctors
at the hospital. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
After joining the Giants in 1994, Lim recorded 257 hitting points -- batting .266
with 47 homers -- in 488 regular-season games until he collapsed in his peak
year.
His performance in his debut year was less than impressive, but he rose to
stardom the following year, batting .247 with 15 homers. In 1996, he placed fifth
in the batting ranking and third in Runs Battled In (RBI), the best ever in his
short career, hitting .311 with 11 homers and 76 RBIs in 113 regular-season
games.
"It was very sad and shocking news," Jo Song-hwan, captain of the team, told
Yonhap News Agency. "His fellow players and fans hadn't given up hope," he said,
sobs breaking up his speech.
Yoo Young-koo, president of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and Giants
executives are expected to pay their respects to Lim on Monday.
South Korea's Internet portals were flooded with hundreds of postings from
baseball fans mourning the former slugger's death.
"I saw Lim's collapse on television. I feel so sorry about the news of his
death," Sin Yong-hee, a 23-year-old fan, said in a posting.
The incident in 2000 spawned criticism of pro-league sports clubs' lack of
provisions to deal swiftly with in-game emergencies.
sshim@yna.co.kr
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