"You shouldn't just play gentle baseball. It has to be hard..." The headfirst sliding of a pinch runner agent who stole the heart of director Dal, who emphasized his desire to win. It was my first hit since my debut

Jul 16, 2024

First baseman Lee Sang-hyuk is stealing second base during the game between Hanwha and SSG at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 25th, and Hanwha Peraza at the top of the 10th inning with one out. Incheon= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2024.05.25/

A game between Kiwoom and Hanwha at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 10th. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon is talking with coaches. Gocheok = Reporter Song Jeong-heon @sportschosun.com/2024.07.10/

"You can't just play gentle baseball."

What Hanwha Eagles coach Kim Kyung-moon wants from his players is a desire to win. He doesn't give up until the end and does his best to win.

Coach Kim recently applauded after seeing a player's play. It was Lee Sang-hyuk's first hit since his debut.

Lee Sang-hyuk played as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning against the LG Twins in Daejeon on the 13th. In the bottom of the ninth inning, trailing 2-7, he hit a weak infield ground ball against the opponent's closer Yoo Young-chan. However, he sprinted from the beginning, and when the pitcher who chased the ball failed to catch it and second baseman Shin Min-jae threw a glove toss, Lee Sang-hyuk even went headfirst sliding on first base. The result is safe.

There were few chances to hit because he was specialized in pinch-runners. He went 0 for 2 in seven games last year. He had no hits in two at-bats in 12 games this year, but he finally hit a hit in his fifth at-bat since his debut.

As if Lee Sang-hyuk's hit affected Yoo Young-chan, follow-up hitter Jang Jin-hyuk walked, and Lee Sang-hyuk scored with Peraza's timely hit with one out and runners on the first and third bases. Even the ball hit Chae Eun-sung's body, leading to a chance to load the bases with two outs, but the game ended with Kim Tae-yeon's center fielder fly.

On Lee Sang-hyuk's infield hit, head coach Kim said "It's not just a good hit. Such a hit makes the opposing pitcher feel bad. It helps our team to make the opponent feel bad. We need such a bad play. "You shouldn't just play gentle baseball. Even if you're usually gentle, you shouldn't be like that during matches. You need to bring out what's inside of you and show your desire to win," he said, praising Lee Sang-hyuk's play. Coach Kim continued, `I plan to give Lee Sang-hyuk more chances to hit in the future.'

Coach Kim keeps saying things that need to be different for Hanwha to be strong. He is emphasizing defense and mental strength. How much Hanwha's play has changed over the second half of the year.

indyk@sportschosun.com