'New Start'Shirakawa,"Il-Tong-san 159 Home Run'Will Lee Seung-yeop remember?'I know it's a legend'
Jul 11, 2024
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Shirakawa joined the team at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 11th and met with them. On the previous day, Doosan officially announced the recruitment of Shirakawa as a substitute for Brandon Waddell.
Compared to SSG Landers Field, Doosan's home Jamsil Stadium is a pitcher-friendly stadium that is far from the fence. It is a plus factor for Shirakawa.
Doosan's head coach is Lee Seung-yeop, who has played for eight years in the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) through the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yomiuri Giants, and Orix Buffaloes. Manager Lee Seung-yeop recorded a career batting average of 257, 159 homers, 439 RBIs and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.818 in the NPB.
Thanks to this, he is a head coach who can naturally talk with Shirakawa. In addition, there are two Japanese coaches, including Yuji Serizawa and Koji Koto. Shirakawa's interpreter is also a Doosan employee who served as coach Goto's interpreter last year.
Shirakawa did not hide his expectations from his new life at Doosan and his meeting with Yang Eui-ji, who hit home runs against manager Lee Seung-yeop and Darvish. He also expressed his warm affection and gratitude to his team SSG. You look good in navy uniform' is the same color as Tokushima's uniform, so I'm used to it," he said with a smile.
As for why he chose to stay in the KBO League without returning to Japan, Shirakawa viewed it as a closer path to his goal of NPB. I think showing performance in the KBO League will help appeal to NPB clubs more," he replied.
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At that time, SSG had no NPB experience, but it was considered that there was a possibility if it was an intense fastball of early and mid 150km, a big curve of drop, and a sharp fork ball. Shirakawa played his part with 2 wins, 2 losses and a 5.09 ERA in 5 games and 23 innings in SSG.
Doosan, where Brandon Waddell was injured, sent a love call, and Shirakawa signed a second KBO league contract with Doosan for six weeks and a total of 4 million yen (about 34 million won). The annual salary, which has more than doubled from the SSG days, is noticeable.
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However, the first meeting with coach Lee Seung-yeop took place with an interpreter in between. Shirakawa smiled "I only said hello today."
Coach Lee Seung-yeop played for the NPB for eight years from 2004 to 2011. However, Shirakawa said, "I only watched one NPB game in person, and I was too young when the coach played in Japan. I don't have a team I especially like. However, I saw the director through the video, and I know he's a legend."
Regarding the possibility of a showdown with SSG Choi Jeong, who was considered the most impressive hitter and good senior, and Elias, who was a rival depending on whether he stayed in the KBO League, "If possible, I would like to avoid a confrontation with SSG." I'm more grateful than I want to meet and win. You gave me a chance, you did a great job, and you even gave me a farewell party." As a member of Doosan, I will do my best to win the team," he stressed.
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Earlier "I hope Shirakawa will come between Yokishi and Shirakawa."How much do we know about Yang Eui-ji. Shirakawa said, "I saw a Korean batter hit a home run against Darvish in the match against Korea. I found out this time that the batter was Yang Eui-ji." As for the 2008 Beijing Olympics "I was 7 years old…," he said in an awkward manner.
In his last game at SSG, he unexpectedly experienced bench clearing. Shirakawa was at a loss as he was just running out of the bench. Everyone was like, "Let's go, let's go, let's go"?' He went out with the feeling that he did" and "I don't want to do it in Doosan."
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"We are always grateful to SSG fans. I hope you continue to support us. I will do my best to win Doosan. It's Shirakawa, Doosan's No. 11."
lunarfly@sportschosun.com
