Korean major leaguer Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates), who finds it difficult to wear the Taegeuk symbol in the future, expressed his desire to represent the national team.
When Bae Ji-hwan, who returned to Korea through Incheon Airport on the 11th after completing the 2023 season, was asked what he thought after watching the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, he said, “I have never played in Korea and there was a lot of gossip in the past, so many people will be reluctant to be selected for the national team. “It’s not something I can control. I want to do my best within the team with the uniform I’m currently wearing,” he said.
However, he confessed, “It is every baseball player’s dream to represent the national team,” and “I am greedy.”
Bae Ji-hwan was summarily indicted on a fine of 2 million won for assaulting his girlfriend at the time in 2017, and was also suspended for 30 games by the Major League Baseball (MLB) office.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Strengthening Committee discussed the criteria and procedures for selecting the national team for the Hangzhou Asian Games last April and decided to exclude players with potential problems from the national team list.메이저사이트
Bae Ji-hwan was not even included in the reserve list for the Asian Games national team.
Even though he did not wear the Taegeuk symbol, it was a meaningful year. It was his first season as a full-time big leaguer.
Bae Ji-hwan, who debuted in the big leagues at the end of September last year and left a mark with a batting average of 0.333 (11 hits in 33 at-bats) in 10 games, joined this year’s opening roster, and in 111 games, he had a batting average of 0.231, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, 54 runs, and an OPS of 0.607. gave out
It was unfortunate that he had to miss about a month due to a left ankle injury in early July.
“I had a hectic year, and I’m sad that it’s over, but I’m also looking forward to next year,” he said. “The only satisfying part is that I stayed in MLB. My goal was to play the season without a gap, but I couldn’t achieve it because I got injured. Next year.” “I want to run without getting hurt,” he emphasized.
As a rookie, he had his ups and downs, but his quick feet especially stood out. He recorded the most stolen bases on the team.
“I’m worried about whether I helped the team, but for a rookie, I think I did a lot with 24. I use my quickness to steal bases, and I think it’s my father’s DNA,” he said. “In baseball, there are times when speed alone isn’t enough to make a play. “I learned that there is a need to lower it,” he said.
He also analyzed that he needs to improve his batting, saying, “I think a lot about hitting well because I can only play once I get out there.”
When asked to give advice to Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes), who is entering the MLB in earnest, he replied, “He is already the best player in Korea, so I have nothing to say about baseball. Rather, I have to learn.”
He continued, “Even those who have not played it know that it is a difficult and difficult stage. I always say to Korean players, ‘I wish there were more Korean players playing in MLB.’ I hope (Lee) Jung-hoo signs a good contract and sees it soon.” I expected it.
Bae Ji-hwan, who is tying the knot with an ordinary woman in early January next year, said, “She has a pretty heart and a pretty face. There is nothing lacking in me. Although I am still young, I thought we could live together until I die, so I told her bluntly that I wanted to get married.” .
“I feel a little more responsibility,” he said, adding, “My challenge is to consistently show up as a big league player next season. I want to stay in the big league, and I really want to play fall baseball.”
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