KIA Tigers infielder Park Chan-ho swung a hard hit with a special bat.
Park Chan-ho started as the ninth batter shortstop in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League match against the Samsung Lions held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 12th, and recorded 3 hits in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 1 RBI, 2 runs, and the team won 3-2. , and contributed to a 6-game winning streak.
Park Chan-ho came out as the lead batter in the 3rd inning and fired a left-handed solo shot against Won Tae-in. After being congratulated by his teammates, Chan-ho Park kissed the bat and even raised it toward the dugout on the first base side.메이저놀이터
Park Chan-ho, who hit his second home run of the season in his first at-bat, hit the middle right in the 4th inning with 1 out and 1 base, creating chances for 1 out and 1st and 2nd base. When the next batter Choi Won-joon pitched a grounder, the pitcher stepped on second base while throwing badly at second base, and scored when Choi Hyeong-woo hit the ball at bases loaded with Na Seong-beom’s infield hit, laying the foundation for the team’s 3-2 comeback. In the 8th inning, he hit the lead batter and completed the 3-hit game.
Park Chan-ho recorded three hits that day and the person he was most grateful for was the opposing team. On the 5th, Ryu Ji-hyeok, who wore a Samsung uniform as a trade, came to Gwangju for the first time after the trade, and just before the game on the 12th, Ryu Ji-hyeok received a bat as a gift (like stealing it).
Park Chan-ho, who had his first three-hit game in about two months after the match against Kiwoom on May 17 with Ryu Ji-hyeok’s bat, said through the club after the game, “Ji-hyeok asked for a bat from Hyung-hyung, so I hit it with the one I got, and a good hit came out. I hope you do well at Samsung without this injury. Thank you to Jihyeok hyung,” he sent a greeting message with the affection he had been with.
Ryu Ji-hyeok also received a present that day. Ryu Ji-hyeok entered the plate as his opponent in front of Gwangju fans for the first time on the 12th as the first match on the 11th was canceled. Ryu Ji-hyeok, who took his first at-bat as the lead batter in the top of the second inning, bowed three times to third base, catcher’s back seat, and first base. KIA played a cheering song for Ryu Ji-hyeok in the old KIA days, and the fans sang along for the last time.
Ryu Ji-hyuk, who came to KIA after leaving Doosan in June 2020 due to a trade with Hong Kun-hee, melted well into the team for three years. He sometimes criticizes his juniors and earns the trust of his seniors by playing the role of a ‘middle leader’ who knows how to lead a team well. Coach Kim Jong-guk said, “I think it would be strange to meet Ryu Ji-hyuk in a game because he has a lot of affection.”
So on the 11th, the KIA players also set aside time for Ryu Ji-hyeok. After arriving at Champions Field, Ryu Ji-hyeok visited the clubhouse and greeted the players, and KIA coach Kim Jong-guk handed over a bouquet of flowers and a uniform signed by all players. The uniform will be framed later and presented to Ryu Ji-hyeok again.