'The only non-star in last year's Korean Series'→2nd place in the domestic ERA, PS Cho-joon. Gave up 10 wins for PS. "It's okay if you don't win 10 games at all"
Oct 03, 2024
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He didn't have a chance to take the mound because he was a long relief position. I warmed up only once in Game 4, but unfortunately, the opportunity to take the mound did not come.
A year later, in fall baseball, he became indispensable to LG. He became a key member of LG's starting lineup with 9 wins, 10 losses and one hold average ERA of 3.79 in 28 games. By completing the regular innings for the first time since his debut, he ranked eighth overall in ERA and second in domestic pitchers.
Son Joo-young, who throws fastballs, curves, sliders, and folk balls of up to 152km, succeeded in completing the race even though it was her first full-time starter.
He was able to challenge for 10 wins against the Daegu Samsung Lions on September 28, the final game of the season, but he gave up on his own.
Son Joo-young, whom I met in Icheon, said "The director gave me a choice. When I heard from the coach, I told him that I would only throw one inning and fill the regular innings instead of starting in 10 minutes."
Son Joo-young "Coach showed me the data. Last year, he pitched only 66 ⅔ innings in the first and second divisions, but this year he pitched 143 ⅔ innings"I threw too much, and there's no guarantee that I'll win just because I go out." I said I'd stop throwing because I had to throw the postseason. It's okay not to win 10 games at all."
He attributed the fact that he pitched so many innings to pitching using his lower body.
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Son Joo-young "Coach Kim Kwang-sam and Kim Kyung-tae made technical things, and the coach gave me a chance this year, and I think everything went well, so I burst out laughing."I thought this year was my last chance to start. I thought I should throw it in the middle if I don't take this opportunity."
A postseason mound that he couldn't throw last year. Now, his first postseason appearance is waiting.
I'm not worried much. I've already finished rehearsals. He started the second game of the doubleheader against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on September 21. At that time, it was narrowed to one game by Doosan as it lost the first game, so it needed to win the second game, but Son Joo-young led his team to a 2-0 victory with perfect pitching with four hits and nine strikeouts in six innings. He even recorded the most strikeouts in one game in his first seven scoreless innings.
Son Joo-young intends to pitch in the postseason while thinking about this time. Son Joo-young said, `Coach Kim Kwang-sam said he should throw 90-95% in autumn baseball, and he said he can throw it like the game against Doosan.' `He threw with all his might from the first inning against Doosan. Maybe because the weather got a little cooler, I didn't get tired."
He said he was able to pitch well this season because of the Korean Series. Although he couldn't go to the game, hearing the huge support in person gave him the strength to throw without being too nervous among the packed spectators this season.
The postseason stage that I prepared for after giving up 10 wins. Now, it's time to throw the loud roar that I heard only on the bench last year.
indyk@sportschosun.com
