Even though he wasn't sick, the KBO's 92 home run hitter, who played in the "Gojak 34G business trip," was also unfair "It was really hard... "I want to look healthy"

*This content was translated by AI.

Veteran Kim Dong-yeop (36, Ulsan Wales), who hit 92 home runs only in the KBO's first-team stage, will challenge the KBO League again.

Kim Dong-yeop met with reporters ahead of the home opener of the 2026 Mediheal KBO Futures League against the Lotte Giants Futures team at Munsu Baseball Stadium in Ulsan on the 20th and said, "I don't know if it's because I feel comfortable, but I'm in good condition. I try to prepare well because I have to work hard here to go higher," he said.

Few baseball players have that many twists and turns. Kim Dong-yeop, who graduated from Cheonan Namsan Elementary School, Cheonan Bukjung Middle School, and Bukil High School, chose to go directly to the U.S. through a contract with the Chicago Cubs. After a two-year challenge, he chose to return to Korea and joined the SK Wyverns (current SSG Landers) as the 86th in the 9th round of the second round of the 2016 KBO Rookie Draft. It was a time when I saved my talent as a big shot of Uta. He helped SK win the Korean Series by hitting 27 home runs in 2018, when he was a career high.

After that, he moved to the Samsung Lions and hit 20 home runs in 2020, but he couldn't survive. The Kiwoom Heroes, who visited last year to take more chances, were in a more desperate situation. While raising his pace smoothly, he started rehabilitation for two months after being hit by Kim Yu-sung (Doosan Bears) in an exhibition game.

However, upon his return, he was not given many more opportunities. Although there were no injuries since then, the number of games played was only 34 games, including nine games in the first team and 25 games in the second team. As shown in the second-tier 25 games and 69 at-bats, he was hired as a pinch hitter in the second half of the game, so there was no opportunity to revive his batting sense.

Kim Dong-yeop said, "I don't think I've played as bad as last year since I came in as a professional. Kiwoom, as everyone knows, is a team with a lot of young players. Once injured, it can be pushed out due to the team's composition. I didn't think such a situation would come to me, but it came just in time. So it was a little hard," he calmly looked back on last year.

It was unfair to step down like this. So I chose the challenge once again from a team that would get more opportunities. Kim Dong-yeop said, "Actually, I got out of Kiwoom in winter and was heartbroken for three to four days. I think it's right to challenge until I'm still healthy and strong, so I've come to this place now," he said with strength.

Kim Dong-yeop was always curious about what it would be like to play full season in a healthy way. His power, which he recognizes, is expected even at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium, where home runs are not often made.

"In fact, it would not have been easy to get a lot of opportunities in the Futures League if I went to another team and was pushed out when filtering out players ahead of the opening game," Kim Dong-yeop said. "I think it would be a lot of appeal if I show my skills here because Ulsan Wales is in a situation where I can get a lot of opportunities."

As the oldest, I took care of my juniors. Currently, I am most worried about Alex Hall (27), the fourth batter and main catcher of the Australian national baseball team who joined Korea the latest. He also had a lonely life abroad, so he couldn't help himself.

Kim Dong-yeop said, "The hole player said he only played games alone in the accommodation. I know how I feel because I've been to the U.S. alone. So I tried to talk to him a lot, too. Hall also knows that I played an active role in the United States, so he talks a lot. I also want to help Hall a lot to adapt in Korea," he said with a smile.

He continued, "I was very surprised to see Hall come here and exercise. "He worked harder than a Korean player and picked up a ball or ran by example and did it first," he praised.

Ulsan Wales players can also transfer to KBO League teams during the season. Kim Dong-yeop also wants to return to the first-team stage, but he also did not forget his mindset to give Ulsan baseball fans joy before that.

Kim Dong-yeop said, "It's my first time coming to Ulsan since the SK days. That's why I felt new and I remember that it was always full even then. I know well that Ulsan's sports fever is excellent. I heard a lot of people will come, but I think they will continue to step up only when the players show good performance."

And he said, "I'm going to play baseball. Also, personally, I can't play a lot of games, so my goal is to play a lot for the time being. So I want to show you that I'm healthy. I'm determined to focus on that part because I have to prove that I can do well to keep going.

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*This content was translated by AI.