“On second thought”…the commander-in-chief’s jab at the top.
“I think I need to think about those things (showing anger) again as a senior.”
Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man spoke about his team’s most senior pitcher, Oh Seung-hwan, ahead of the team’s 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League game against KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Sunday.
Oh Seung-hwan came into the game as the fourth pitcher in the bottom of the eighth inning with the team leading 6-4 against KT in Suwon on Saturday. From the very first batter, things went awry. He gave up an infield hit to Jung Jun-young on a bunt. He then gave up an RBI double to Park Kyung-soo to make it 6-5.
After giving up a sacrifice bunt to the next batter, Ahn Chi-young, Oh Seung-hwan came off the mound to be replaced by reliever Lee Seung-hyun with runners on first and third.
Oh’s behavior afterward drew attention. Despite his nickname, he rarely shows emotion, but this day was different. As he walked down the mound, he threw the ball hard into the outfield as if he was unhappy about something. After returning to the dugout, he threw down his glove and was unable to cut down the minutes. The team lost the game 6-7 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Lee Ho-yeon gave up the game-winning hit.
Park had a meaningful message for Oh Seung-hwan about his behavior. It seemed to imply that as the most senior player, he should be more careful with his behavior. “Every player prepares hard to look good, and it can be seen as selfish. It’s a long game, so sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad,” he said. “I think I need to think about those things again as a senior.”
Park reflected on a bitter come-from-behind loss last game. The team jumped out to a 5-0 lead against starter Wes Benjamin early in the game, but a combination of bullpen struggles and defensive mistakes cost them the game 메이저놀이터.
“Yesterday (Nov. 16), we had a good start with a leadoff single and an extra-base hit, but our bullpen struggled and we made some defensive mistakes. After that, the batting lineup was fine, including the extra run, but it was disappointing that we couldn’t stop them in the small defensive areas.”
Meanwhile, Samsung used backup catcher Kim Jae-sung at first base to bolster its offense. It was Kim’s first time playing first base since joining the professional team. “Kim Jae-sung has been practicing at first base in spurts lately,” explained Son Joo-in, the defense coach.