"I have a big dream" Karina's first pitch → The 19-year-old surprise star who shone all-star week with cosplay.
Jul 09, 2024
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Looking back at that moment, it still feels like a dream. It was an unforgettable day for Park Joon-woo (19) of the Lotte Giants, who was just out of high school.
June 9, 2024. It is the day Karina of the popular girl group Aespa visited Sajik Stadium in Busan. On that day, Park Jun-woo served as Karina's first pitch map. There were stinging eyes from all over the place.
The place that everyone would have coveted. What is the reason why Park Joon-woo, a dark rookie, took charge of Karina's first pitch guidance.
"I was lucky. I couldn't wait on the first pitch map when Karina might come or not because it was a doubleheader, and everyone who could teach had to prepare for the game."
Park Joon-woo, a former Yushin High School player, is starting rotation in Futures (second division) this year. He threw a heavy fastball of up to 144km in high school, and his confident physique of 1m90 stands out.
He is responsible for 11 starts and 50 ⅓ innings, with 3 wins and 3 losses with a 4.47 ERA. All the players who played as Futures starters, such as Lee Min-seok and Park Jin, are in the first division and are filling the gap.
Park Joon-woo smiled shyly, saying, `But I recommended it in the second division, so maybe my name went up because I usually live well.' Even in the second division, I always feel that high school and professional are at different levels. Since I'm a rookie, I'm trying to reduce four pitches and throw them boldly," he stressed.
On that day, Park Jun-woo was already at the resignation because of something else. However, the club did not let me know because the game could be canceled due to a doubleheader. Because of this, it became more unexpected and great happiness for Park Joon-woo.
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How beautiful was Karina when she saw her up close. Park Jun-woo said "I didn't feel like a person. It's not even comparable to the screen. It was so surreal," he said, turning his face bright red. The pitch was much better than expected, so Park Jun-woo gave advice mainly on style and form.
For Park Joon-woo, it was also an opportunity to greet fans at Sajik Stadium, a dream stage. Park Jun-woo "I have a big dream. If you establish yourself as a major player in the first team, you can teach other celebrities how to pitch, right? First of all, I was lucky that day, and even so, I was happy to be in the first team stadium," he said with a smile.
"That day, the resignation was full of real people. I couldn't believe I was a player on this team, and I really envied playing baseball in front of so many people. I want to do it because there are young members That's what stimulated me."
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Lee Min-seok, a two-year senior who made his own achievement in the first team, is a `superstar by my side' for Park Joon-woo. I stayed in the second division until May, and I learned a lot because my body shape was similar.
In the interview, Park Joon-woo emphasized 'higher place' several times. He "Coming professional, the ball definitely gave me strength. I'm glad that the ball speed doesn't seem to drop as well as before. "The 2nd and 1st teams are completely different stages. I think the pressure will be completely different," he shook his head with excitement.
"In the second half of the year, I really want to be in the first team when I enter the expansion entry. I hope the dream future will come a little earlier than expected."
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lunarfly@sportschosun.com
