NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-jun was deeply impressed by the memorial ceremony the players showed after their victory.
Lee Ho-jun said during an interview before the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 6th, "I actually did not know the players had prepared such a ceremony. I was moved."
NC escaped a three-game losing streak with a victory on the 5th, defeating Kiwoom 7-5. After the game, NC players gathered on the mound for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the accident that occurred on the 29th of last month at Changwon NC Park.
A tragic accident occurred at NC Park during the game between NC and LG on the 29th of last month. At around 5:20 p.m., a structure (2.6 meters long, 40 centimeters wide, aluminum 'louver') fixed to the wall near the third base concession area fell, injuring three spectators below, one of whom unfortunately died after being hit by the structure.
As the accident victim passed away on the 31st of last month, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) decided to hold a mourning period from the 1st to the 3rd. There were no KBO League or Futures League games held on the 1st to honor the victims. All three games scheduled between NC and SSG at NC Park were canceled, while games at the remaining four stadiums resumed on the 2nd, though cheering was not allowed until the 3rd. Although the mourning period has ended, Kiwoom decided not to cheer during their three-game series against NC this weekend and will not hold any club events.
NC achieved its first victory since the accident on the 5th. It was a long-awaited win that ended a three-game losing streak, but the NC players calmed their minds in mourning for the accident victims rather than celebrating their victory.
Lee Ho-jun noted, "We all carry the memory of that accident in our hearts. It is truly a tragic and sad event. I also suddenly think about it during the game. It is indeed a tough atmosphere to laugh in," he said, adding, "However, after our first game ended, I felt it was more appropriate for us to win the game in mourning. We will also try to play baseball more energetically little by little."
Lee Ho-jun, who expressed his admiration for the players who held the memorial ceremony, stated, "I knew that the players had been holding this feeling all along. Now, it is something we must carry forward. I feel we need to show good baseball and our winning form. It seems we will approach this season with that mindset to show better baseball for the accident victims."
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