No hit + no mistake → rebound, but the first KS that failed to turn around is this difficult, but KIA still believes in Park Chan-ho

Oct 26, 2024

On the 25th, KIA and Samsung's third game of the Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, and KIA Park Chan-ho, with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, are regretful when his ball became a foul. Daegu = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.25/

The Korean Series that I dreamed of, but it's not going well.

KIA Tigers leadoff Park Chan-ho. The steps are heavy. He has two hits in 11 at-bats in three games of the Korean Series. It is blocked on both sides of offense and defense, with two errors coming out of defense.

Ahead of this series, KIA picked Park Chan-ho's performance as its key. It was hoped that the leadoff would increase the on-base percentage to open the team's scoring. Korea's top defense is also expected to play a role in blocking Samsung's batters.

The steps in the first and second games were heavy. He only picked out three hits and one walk each. He often grounded out in a chance situation. Confidence that did not survive at bat led to mistakes in defense. He could hardly keep his face open.

Game 3 in Daegu. Clues of a rebound are starting to show.

The first game of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. Park Chan-ho, who made a throwing error when Ryu Ji-hyuk hit an infield grounder in the top of the third inning, is regretful. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.21/

KIA shortstop Park Chan-ho is unable to block Samsung Kim Heon-gon's hit ball in the bottom of the second inning in Game 3 of the Korean Series between KIA and Samsung at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 25th. Daegu = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.25/

KIA Park Chan-ho hits in the top of the sixth inning in Game 3 of the Korean Series between KIA and Samsung at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 25th. Daegu = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.25/

Park Chan-ho scored multiple hits and two points in Game 3 of the Korean Series on the 25th. He grounded out in the first two at-bats, but he got on base with a left-handed hit in the top of the sixth inning, when his team was trailing 0-2, and then stole a base to hit home when Choi Hyung-woo hit to the right. Even in the top of the eighth inning, when the gap was widened to 4-1, he got on base with an infield hit, followed by wild pitches and Kim Do-young's timely hit, leading to a home run again. In the top of the ninth inning, he stepped down with a mistake in a bases-loaded chance with two outs, but he showed his batting sense starting to revive by making a strong hit.

Park Chan-ho wearing KIA uniform in 2014. KIA achieved V11 in 2017, but Park Chan-ho, who was still a rising star at the time, had enlisted as an active duty soldier after the 2016 season. I had no choice but to watch the seniors' victory ceremony on TV. This Korean Series is the first dream stage since debuting professionally. He has no choice but to play better than anyone else and become a wheat grain of V12.

Game 2 of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd. Park Chan-ho, who scored when Kim Do-young hit an infield ground ball with no outs and runners on the second and third bases in the bottom of the first inning, is congratulated by Choi Hyung-woo. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.23/

A match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. KIA Park Chan-ho is handling Samsung's Kim Hun-gon hit with no outs and first base in the top of the first inning. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.21/

Still, KIA has no choice but to rely on Park Chan-ho's performance. With Kim Do-young's clean-up trio and Choi Won-joon in the bottom batting order, Park Chan-ho, who recorded a batting average of 30% for the season as a leadoff, is the strongest card. No alternative resources can be found in defense. If the batting feeling that survived Game 3 continues in the remaining series, it is expected that a rebound will occur.

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said of Park Chan-ho, `I had no hits in the previous two games, but I think I will rebound today" sent a message of support. Then "Today is the end of the day. It's a daytime game tomorrow, so we have to rest well today and play well tomorrow."

Park Chan-ho's family is also nervously watching his performance on the side of the stadium. Kia's bench and fans' eyes have not stopped cheering for Park Chan-ho. It is time to prove the pride of the 30% leadoff for the second consecutive year.

ppark@sportschosun.com

No hit + no mistake → rebound, but the first KS that failed to turn around is this difficult, but KIA still believes in Park Chan-ho

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