I’m going to try to avoid the manager tomorrow.
Jung Hoon (38), a veteran of the professional baseball team Lotte Giants, started as the fifth designated hitter in the regular season matchup against the Samsung Lions on the 20th at Busan Sajik Stadium. In the eighth inning, leading 2-1, he hit a solo home run off Kim Jae-yoon. This homer became the decisive blow as Lotte won 3-1, extending their winning streak to three games.
This year, Jung Hoon had effectively fallen out of the starting lineup. At the end of May, he briefly went to the second team. He didn’t get opportunities, and the results weren’t very good. It seemed that the flame of the veteran Jung Hoon was slowly extinguishing.
However, the moment Jung Hoon was needed eventually arrived. As the starting players were sidelined due to injuries, the team became thinner, and Jung Hoon had to step up. Although he did not have the explosiveness like the younger players, Jung Hoon held on tenaciously. Gradually, the fruits of his labor were showing. He proved it with that home run. His hitting form has not been bad recently; including this game, he has recorded hits in six consecutive games. In fact, the scene-stealer of Jung Hoon's home run was manager Kim Tae-hyoung. When Jung Hoon hit the home run and came back in, Kim Tae-hyoung did not extend his hand for a high-five and turned away. Then Jung Hoon playfully smacked Kim Tae-hyoung's rear. Kim Tae-hyoung then smiled at Jung Hoon and after enjoying the joy, it passed without incident.
After the game, Jung Hoon commented on the ceremony, saying, “I don’t even know why I did it. The manager turned his head, and out of joy, I felt like I did something I shouldn’t have.”
It was not a prearranged ceremony or bet. He said, “These days, I have been moving around so as not to get in the manager’s way at all. So I couldn’t make any promises or anything like that,” which made everyone laugh. He continued, “I didn’t expect to hit a home run, and the manager probably didn’t expect it either. I wanted to hit something after hitting the home run, but I feel like my hand went out without me realizing it.”
He also added, “For the time being, I’m not at the level I hoped to be. So for now, I’m going to keep checking the manager’s movements and try to avoid him.”
Regarding the home run situation, he explained, “I had an intention to hit. I was thinking about a breaking ball, but they kept throwing fastballs. Kim Jae-yoon was throwing fastballs all the way to a full count, and I thought, ‘This year, such plans aren’t working out.’ So when it got to a full count, I just changed my thought. I just said to myself, 'Let’s give it a swing,' and it fortuitously came right at me and went over.” Jung Hoon likely had a lot on his mind lately. He said, “I thought if I could get a hit at crucial moments, I could rise up faster. But I kept hitting when there were no runners on base. Of course, hitting without runners is important too, but personally, I felt quite bad.” He reflected, “As a veteran, I have to show something in the given opportunities. I did get one hit today, but I regret many of the prior at-bats.”
Reflecting on the time he spent briefly in the second team, he pledged to work harder in the future. He stated, “There are many games left, so I’m trying not to give up and practice hard.” He added, “Maybe because I’m cheering a lot, my teammates and coaches are all helping me a lot. The two hitting coaches also supported me greatly, and when I was in the second team, Coach Kim Yong-hee helped me. To repay those who have helped me, I need to do well.”
[OSEN]