The 'Hot Chocolate Boy' NC Mok Ji-hoon (21) achieved a thrilling first professional win. While the younger player showcased a stellar performance, his senior teammates supported him by hitting well, running well, and providing warm encouragement like hot chocolate.
On the 7th, the match between KT and NC in the '2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League' was held at Suwon KT Wiz Park. NC Mok Ji-hoon, who took the mound for the third time this season, delivered a flawless performance against the KT lineup, maintaining control until there was one out in the fifth inning. The NC offense responded to Mok's strong pitching by scoring six runs by the end of the fifth.
Pitching well, Mok Ji-hoon allowed a solo home run to KT star Kang Baek-ho on the second curveball he threw with one out in the fifth, which drifted into the middle of the plate and sailed over the right field wall. That day, the first hit Mok allowed turned out to be a home run. The NC bench called a timeout without looking back to request a visit to the mound for Mok. Although there was a five-run lead, it was still the fifth inning, and with only two outs needed for his first win, Mok could have felt pressure.
Heading to the mound were NC pitching coach Lee Yong-hoon, catcher Park Se-hyuk, and second baseman captain Park Min-woo, supporting the rookie pitcher aiming for his first win. The coach listened closely to the younger player, while the captain shared a high-five with the catcher to lighten the mood and calmed Mok's nerves by giving him a reassuring pat on the back. Mok finished the fifth inning without further allowing any runs, savoring the warm hot chocolate shared from his senior teammates.
Even after fulfilling the requirements for Mok Ji-hoon's debut win, the NC seniors did not relent. Kim Jin-ho ended the sixth with a double play in a bases-loaded situation with one out, not allowing any runs in the inning, while Chun Jae-hwan hit a three-run homer in the ninth, solidifying the rookie's first win and the team’s fifth consecutive victory.
Mok Ji-hoon drew attention even before joining NC. He became known through a hot chocolate brand 'Hot Chocolate' advertisement filmed with coach Kim Sung-kyu. In 2011, at the age of 7, he gained notoriety for his cute expression and speech, asking Kim, 'Grandpa, do you play baseball well?' That boy has grown up to become Mok Ji-hoon, the player drafted by the NC Dinos in the 2023 professional baseball rookie draft.
After a safety inspection at Changwon NC Park, which experienced an accident at the end of March, the NC team has been on the road for more than a month. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, they played their hardest to achieve Mok Ji-hoon's professional debut win and the team's fifth consecutive victory. A .500 winning percentage is also within reach. It feels like 'hot chocolate baseball' warming both the cold and hearts.
[OSEN]