* Translated by Papago

"Let's make a commemorative uniform." Samsung's Park Seung-gyu gave up "four things" and got "more valuable things."

Updated:

Shin Hwasup

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung's Park Seung-gyu (left) is delighted after hitting a triple in the bottom of the eighth inning against NC on the 10th. He doesn't seem to mind the failure of the cycling hit. On the right is NC's third baseman Kim Hwi-jip. /Photo =OSEN
Samsung's Park Seung-gyu (left) is delighted after hitting a triple in the bottom of the eighth inning against NC on the 10th. He doesn't seem to mind the failure of the cycling hit. On the right is NC's third baseman Kim Hwi-jip. /Photo =OSEN

Samsung Lions' Park Seung-kyu (26)'s "giving up cycling hits" continues to remain strong.

Park Seung-gyu started as the first batter right fielder in a home game against the NC Dinos at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 10th and played with four hits and four RBIs, including two triples, a home run and a single.

He hit a triple, a single, and a home run earlier, and hit a ball over center field in the last at-bat with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning when the score was 4-4. With all three runners home, the score was 7-4, and if they had stopped at second base, they could have achieved a cycling hit. Samsung's third base coach Lee Jong-wook also raised his arms to block him when he turned the second base, but Park Seung-gyu ran to third base without hesitation and was safe. And Ryu Ji-hyuk's double scored a wedge to lead his team to an 8-5 victory.

Park Seung-gyu's play, which prioritized the team over his personal record, impressed not only Samsung but also fans of other teams. Moreover, this day was his first return to the first team in 223 days after he suffered a right thumb fracture on his pitch against Hanwha on August 30 last year.

Park Seung-gyu is home-in after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against NC on the 10th. /Photo =OSEN
Park Seung-gyu is home-in after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against NC on the 10th. /Photo =OSEN
The things that Park Seung Kyu gave up on

There are four major reasons why Park Seung-gyu "gave up" by running to third base on his own. First of all, it is the 33rd milestone of all time. A total of 32 cycling hits came out in the KBO League, which marks its 45th anniversary this year. It's a real record that's hard to see once a year. There was no main character last season after Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers) and Ko Seung-min (Lotte Giants) in 2024.

It was almost the first time in 10 years for a Samsung player. In the meantime, four players, Oh Dae-seok (1982) and Yang Joon-hyuk (1996, 2003), Martinez (2001), and Choi Hyung-woo (2016), have achieved only five times.

Lee Jung-hoo is receiving a cycling hit commemorative trophy from KBO in 2021 when he was a Kiwoom. /Photo = Newsis
Lee Jung-hoo is receiving a cycling hit commemorative trophy from KBO in 2021 when he was a Kiwoom. /Photo = Newsis
KIA Kim Do-young's cycling hit commemorative uniform in 2024. /Photo = Capture an online shopping site
KIA Kim Do-young's cycling hit commemorative uniform in 2024. /Photo = Capture an online shopping site

He also missed the official Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) trophy, which he will keep as "the glory of the family." KBO awards a commemorative trophy with the name, date, and signature of the president to a cycling hit player.

There was also an opportunity to produce a commemorative uniform. In 2024, the KIA team made a special uniform when Kim Do-young hit a cycling hit. A portion of the proceeds from the sale go to the players.

Park Seung-gyu image produced by KBO. /Photo = Capture KBO's official Instagram
Park Seung-gyu image produced by KBO. /Photo = Capture KBO's official Instagram
"A dedication that will be more memorable than the record"

But Park Seung-gyu probably got something bigger. KBO posted Park Seung-gyu as the first post on its official Instagram until the 13th, three days later. Usually, official records such as "all-time ○○th △△△△" are introduced, but despite the fact that the record was canceled, the image of "DAILY RECORD (today's record)" was unusually produced.

The title is "HIT FOR THE TEAM". He coined the phrase "hit for the team" by quoting "Hitting for the Cycle," which refers to a cycling hit in the U.S. Major League Baseball.

The reaction from the fans is even hotter. "Park Seung-gyu's play, which really fits the team's sports spirit, will be remembered forever in everyone's heart," he said. "It's really cool. Compliments continued such as "A more memorable commitment than the record," "I'm a fan of other teams, but Seung-gyu will surely achieve a hit-for-the-cycle someday," and "Let's make a commemorative uniform."

Samsung manager Park Jin-man (center) is making a high-five with Park Seung-gyu after winning against NC on the 10th. /Photo =OSEN
Samsung manager Park Jin-man (center) is making a high-five with Park Seung-gyu after winning against NC on the 10th. /Photo =OSEN

Park Seung-gyu's feelings were also enough to convey his sincere feelings to the fans. "I went to the batter's box with the idea of playing third base whenever I could get to third base," he said in a broadcast interview after the game. "Of course, my personal record is an honor, but I think no player is greater than the team, so I decided to help the team a little more."

The more valuable thing that Park Seung-gyu gained after giving up a lot is contained in a fan's article. "The record tried to leave him 33rd, but he took the first path left in our minds."

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*This content was translated by AI.

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