"'V12' just one step, flower director's all-in declaration "All the pens stand by, thinking there's no back."
Oct 28, 2024
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KIA will play Game 5 of the 2024 Korean Series against the Samsung Lions at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. In the best-of-seven Korean Series, KIA is leading with 3 wins and 1 loss. If you add one more win in the 5th to 7th games, which will be held for three days from this day, you will reach the long-awaited V12.
Kia lost 2:4 in the third game held in Daegu on Saturday, when it gave up four homers. However, it added Kim Tae-gun's grand slam, Socrates' two-run shot and starting pitcher James Nail's good pitching to secure victory the next day. The subdued atmosphere was raised at once.
Manager Lee heralded Yang Hyun-jong as the starting pitcher on the day. Yang Hyun-jong became the winning pitcher with one earned run in five ⅓ innings in the last game. He, who helped build V10 and V11 in 2009 and 2017, respectively, will be tasked with decorating the finale again in his home city of Gwangju.
-How did you spend your rest day.
▶The day seems to have passed so quickly that I don't know how I spent it. I spent the day thinking about that part because I had to prepare something new.
-There was a chance to decide the championship in Gwangju.
▶There is still a game left. Only after the game will we know whether we will win or not. It is not yet the stage to let down one's guard. The first goal was to win quickly. The goal was to win the championship as soon as possible. I did my best. If we play Game 5 well in Gwangju, it will be a meaningful moment. For today, I'm going to play with the last thought and no hindsight.
-Choi Hyung-woo is back.
I discussed with the ▶ training part. I wouldn't use it if I said it wasn't good at all. According to the morning check, there is no problem in participating at all. He would have said he shouldn't think it was difficult, but he signed that it was possible for such a big game because he could do it enough. I thought about the batting order, but I placed it because the 6th place is a place where other players can be used when there is a variable rather than the 4th place.
-Can Yoon Young-chul also come out of the bullpen.
▶Everyone is on standby. If Yang Hyun-jong is bad in the beginning, he will try to prepare Yoon Young-chul and Kim Do-hyun first. In order to use the must-win group in the middle and late stages, we need a pitcher to cover two to three innings. I'm going to choose between Yoon Young-chul and Kim Do-hyun.
-If Yang Hyun-jong is in charge of more than six innings, will there be no two players.
▶I think so. Jeon Sang-hyun and Kwak Do-gyu took a break yesterday, and Jung Hae-young is also waiting. It's not a big schedule in terms of the number of pitches. If Yang Hyun-jong throws it normally, I think it will work out as it should.
-Lee Chang-jin is going to start.
▶ Choi Won-joon hit Lee Seung-hyun's ball well, but in terms of condition, Lee Chang-jin, who is in good condition, was better than left-handed pitcher and left-handed batter. After Lee Seung-hyun goes down the mound, Choi Won-joon can be utilized. Among the right-handed hitters, Lee Chang-jin was considered to be better in terms of condition. Looking at Lee Seung-hyun's pitch, he tries to determine the timing of Choi Won-jun's use.
-What is the background of Lee Woo-sung's selection.
▶ The same goes for Lee Woo-sung. Today, I thought the early attack would be very important than defense. If Byun Woo-hyuk is put in the beginning, it is difficult to take out because of the defense in the second half. As a result of consulting with the hitting coach, it was decided that it would be better to use Lee Woo-sung first and use Byun Woo-hyuk in a situation where defense in the second half is important. I thought it would be better to strengthen the defense by using Byun Woo-hyuk at the earlier timing.
-What's the secret to this season's success.
▶I've been thinking since I was a coach that player-oriented play is right, and I tried to implement it as it is. The players accepted this part well, and this year's good performance came out. It is expected that the players will move actively if they create a good atmosphere. That seems to have been done well. Just because the coach makes it comfortable doesn't mean that the players don't worry about it comfortably. You will be well prepared in the direction that the individual pursues. I think the priority is to protect the current baseball stadium and allow players to perform well.
-The Tigers only lifted the trophy in Gwangju once in 1987.
I started to be interested in baseball when I was in the first and second grades of ▶ Elementary School. I've watched how great the Tigers are growing up. He played as a player and leader for the Tigers for 14 years with the goal of winning the championship in Gwangju.
I really wanted to lift the trophy, which was only once in Gwangju. I also wanted to do it in Gwangju when I won in 2017. As I have the opportunity to play Game 5 in Gwangju, I will make sure to lift the trophy today.
ppark@sportschosun.com
