Major leaguers learned to curve from a regular interpreter... The story of Lim Chan-gyu's curve passed down to Hernandez
Oct 05, 2024
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LG Twins Eliaser Hernandez told a shocking anecdote in an interview with reporters on the 4th, a day before the semi-playoff. I learned the curve from Jung Jong-min, who was interpreting it right next to me.
Hernandez, who came as Casey Kelly's replacement pitcher during the season, gradually felt that Korean and American baseball were different. Hernandez "At first, I threw like I did in the U.S., but the more I threw, the more I learned that the American batter and the Korean batter were different. U.S. hitters were aiming for home runs and long balls, while Korean hitters seemed to focus on contact. It wasn't easy to strike out"That's why I threw a lot of curves."
Hernandez, who throws as many as seven pitches, mainly used more fastballs and sliders (sweeper) in the beginning. However, the proportion of sliders gradually decreased and the proportion of curves increased.
Hernandez then suddenly learned the curve grip from Jongmin next to him. The grip made me throw it because it was comfortable."
Jeong Jong-min, who interpreted the words himself, explained the background himself embarrassed. Jung said "Hernandez asked me how to hold the curve grip because I'm a pitcher in baseball, which is a member of the society", and "I actually learned the curve from Lim Chan-kyu." In fact, Hernandez can be said to have learned the curve from Lim Chan-kyu. In fact, Hernandez even went to Lim Chan-kyu and asked him directly."
However, Hernandez points to Chung and continues to praise him as his curve teacher, making Chung embarrassed.
Hernandez said "I asked because I was uncomfortable with the curve I was throwing in the U.S., and the grip hit me well. And he expressed satisfaction, saying, "I had to throw it right away in the real game, but it went well."
Hernandez will be a bullpen pitcher in this semi-playoff. He came as the first starter to replace Kelly, but he has to go to the bullpen due to the team's unstable bullpen situation. Hernandez said "I'm here to win. The most important thing is for the team to win, and I'm mentally ready to go out to the bullpen."
Hernandez pitched in 11 games (nine starts) this season and recorded three wins, two losses, one save and one hold. He also showed off his charm as a bullpen pitcher by taking the mound in the top of the eighth inning of the second doubleheader against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on September 21 and making a save with perfect pitching with no hits, no four outs, no strikeouts and no runs in two innings.
indyk@sportschosun.com
