'Legend does not disappear' Lee Jong-beom's miracle fifth base, Itoi dramatic three-run...Korea's Legendary All-Star Loses to Japan

Jul 22, 2024

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Lee Jong-beom is hitting a hit in the top of the first inning. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

[Hotkaido (Japan) = Reporter Kim Yong from Sports Chosun] Legends don't go away.

Korea's legendary stars suffered a disappointing upset loss to Japan. Of course, it was a friendly match before winning or losing. He played well enough to be applauded.

South Korea suffered a come-from-behind 6-10 defeat in the 「Korea-Japan Dream Players Game" held at Econ Field, Nippon-Ham Fighters' home stadium in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he allowed his opponent Itoi to make a three-run shot in the come-from-behind final.

The game was a venue for a festival where the best legendary stars who made a mark in the history of baseball between the two countries gathered together. Nippon Ham wanted a picture of the best players from both countries competing at the latest dome stadium, Escon Field, which opened last year, and a historical game was held. It contains respect for legendary stars from both countries. The game lasted until the seventh inning.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. The South Korean national baseball team is making a national courtesy. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

They're getting older, and each has his own job here and there. It was not easy to gather like this in a situation where I did not exercise properly. Japan was able to fill the entry with the best stars who participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) by paying attention to their own efforts because it was a competition held in their own country. However, in Korea, the main players who participated in the first and second tournaments in 2006 and 2009 often play as coaching staff in the KBO League's first team, and although it was not easy to form players due to the time burden of moving away, many players, including manager Kim In-sik, Lee Jong-beom, Koo Dae-sung, Yang Joon-hyuk, Seo Jae-eung, Bong Jung-geun, Kim Tae-kyun, and Yoon Seok-min, were willing to take time out. The dedication of Park Kyung-wan, Son Si-heon, Jo Woong-cheon, Park Han-yi, and Jo In-sung, who are active leaders in the second division, was also great.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Japan's Uhehara is fighting hard. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

In fact, before the game, Japan was expected to be far ahead in terms of player composition and power. Players are important, but Japan had many players who had just retired. In Korea, Lee Dae-dae, Park Seok-min, and Lee Hyun-seung were players with sense.

But the legends' instincts didn't go anywhere. In the top of the first inning, first hitter Lee Jong-beom hit a lightning hit from Japanese starter Uhehara 'Korea Killer' and the game began. South Korea scored the first run with a timely hit by No. 4 Kim Tae-kyun.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Lee Jong-beom is happy after hitting a hit in the top of the first inning. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

Japan also couldn't stay still in front of its home fans. South Korea started left-hander Lee Hye-cheon, and Japanese No. 4 hitter Inaba hit a timely hit. Inaba, who served as the coach of the Japanese national team for a long time, has been working as the coach of Nippon Ham's second division since this year. He is a franchise star who spent the second half of his career with Nippon Ham.

The match between the two teams was more interesting than expected. In the top of the second inning, Japanese pitcher Komatsu's ball control difficulty and Yang Joon-hyuk's sacrifice fly were added to score three runs. Then, Japan hit Yoon Seok-min, who took the mound in the bottom of the second inning, and scored the same three points to tie the game. Still, what was fortunate for Korea was that Cho Woong-cheon, who made a relief appearance in the two-out full base crisis, overcame the crisis by striking out Japan's Jojima with a swing and miss.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Cho Woong-cheon is fighting hard. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

But the balance is broken three times. South Korea created a chance with consecutive hits by Park Kyung-wan and Park Seok-min against the changed pitcher Iwata, and Park Han-yi's sacrifice fly drove away one run. No. 9 Park Jong-ho hit an RBI single in a row. On the contrary, Japan, which had scored well until the second inning, failed to score in the third inning due to Korean Lee Hyun-seung's good pitching. In the fourth inning, both teams failed to score points due to good pitching by Japan's Sets and South Korea's Koo Dae-sung and Kwon Hyuk.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

The stage of harmony between the cheerleaders of the two countries was held at half-time, followed by the game. When South Korea drew back-to-back walks against Mahara, who failed to control the ball, coach Hara took the mound himself. And when Iwakuma from the Major League took the mound, a big round of applause erupted. However, Iwakuma showed the lowest speed among pitchers who came out on the day. He gave up a sacrifice fly RBI to Park Han-yi and induced Jang Sung-ho to ground out to the first base, but the base cover on the first base was late, making it a double play.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. The Japanese Iwakuma is fighting hard. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

South Korea allowed two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Bong Jung-geun, who took the mound, was in trouble, but in the meantime, he guided Nishioka to the first double play of the game to protect the lead and fulfill his duty. Seo Jae-eung managed to catch slugger Ogasawara with a straight hit to maintain the 6-5 score.

South Korea saved Ko Chang-sung and Yoon Gil-hyun, who had the best ball power, to protect the victory. In the sixth inning, Gochangseong Fortress came up. But this has become a source of concern. With the ball on the second and third bases with one out, the ball fell over to Itoi's exact contact. a dramatic three-run final. The stadium was filled with great cheers from Japanese fans.

Yoon Gil-hyun came out to put out the fire, but as the ball accelerated, the Japanese hitters timed it much better. Kataoka even made a timely hit. Since then, Japanese hitters have completely been in the mood, and the score gap has widened to four points in the end.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Japan's Itoi is happy after hitting a three-run shot with one out and runners on the second and third bases. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

I mentioned aboveShippy actually didn't mean much to win or lose. It was important to greet the fans as all the players were evenly deployed. The pitchers' speed was difficult to exceed 130km, and their legs did not fall even after hitting the bat. When he was active, he missed the catch ride unconditionally. At the same time, it was impressive that everyone laughed and enjoyed playing.

Still, he did not give up his temperament as a match between Korea and Japan, changing the pitcher according to the opponent's batter in the middle of the crisis. Japan also sent Nishioka, who had been replaced by Nishioka as a pinch runner at third base in the sixth inning when there was a chance to tie and turn the tables. regulations allowed in this tournament. It was a scene where you could feel the will to win. So, even as a baseball, it provided more fun than expected.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. In the bottom of the sixth inning, second baseman Lee Jong-beom is regretful after making a defensive error when hitting Fukudome in Japan. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

South Korea played a role in all players, and among them, Lee Jong-beom, who came out as a top hitter and recorded three hits, two walks, and five bases, stood out. Before the game, he said he was worried about muscle injuries because he was the oldest, but the bat turned as much as he did when he was active. The defense also went out to the outfield and turned into an intermediate second base. Of course, before allowing the come-from-behind final shot, he made a fatal (?) throwing error, but before that, he caught a hit with a diving catch at the age of well over 50 years old.

At the end of the game, the players of both teams greeted each other fondly and promised to meet next time. Japanese local fans also applauded generously when good plays came out regardless of the two countries. Coach Hara of the Japanese national team also offered the romance of bringing closer legend Fujikawa to the end of the game. It was a day when baseball showed all the beauty it could show at a spectacular ballpark.

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