Trusting Coach Kim, Noh Si-hwan hits a massive home run after 64 plate appearances, making a brilliant return: "I even had negative thoughts, but I did it with a happy heart."

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite a severe slump that sent him to the minor leagues, Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) showed his trust. And the fourth batter answered with a single blast. Noh Si-hwan (26) could finally smile in front of fans.

On the 23rd, Noh Si-hwan started at third base and batted fourth in the home game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. He hit a solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning while his team trailed 1-2.

This season, he played in 13 games with no home runs, finishing with a batting average of 0.145 (55 at-bats, 8 hits), and had the disgrace of leading the league in strikeouts before heading to the minor leagues on the 13th. Today, he returned and started as the fourth batter.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "How could we expect him to do well from the start? We need to take it slow in games and relieve the pressure first. It's not just Noh Si-hwan; anyone who doesn't deliver results as a free agent will feel stress. So I hope he can relax his mind, smile leisurely with his teammates, and play." When asked why he chose him as the fourth batter, he replied, "After all, isn't Noh Si-hwan our Hanwha's fourth batter?"

Did Manager Kim's words reach Noh Si-hwan? After striking out with a swing-and-miss in his first at-bat, Noh Si-hwan hit a decisive home run at the exact moment the team needed it. He smashed a 140.3 km/h fastball from reliever Ham Deok-ju in the bottom of the fourth inning, sending it over the left-field wall for a massive 134.2-meter home run. It was his first home run in 64 plate appearances this season. The exit velocity was also a blistering 176.4 km/h.

Hanwha then scored one more run to take the lead, and in the bottom of the fifth, Moon Hyun-bin also hit a home run, following Yonatan Peraza and Noh Si-hwan, boosting the momentum. They ultimately secured a satisfying 8-4 victory.

He also provided stability to the pitchers defensively. With his team leading 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth, he fielded a difficult hit by Austin and made a perfect throw to first base for an out. With one out and runners on first and second, he quickly handled Cheon Seong-ho's ground ball, completing a double play to second base and then first.

In the seventh inning, he created a dazzling play on the basepaths. With one out, Noh Si-hwan reached base on a single to left field. When Kang Baek-ho struck out, he was caught in a rundown due to the catcher's pickoff attempt, but he lowered his body to avoid the tag and dove back to first base to survive. It was a return performance that shone in offense, defense, and base running.

After the game, Manager Kim said, "Our fourth batter, Noh Si-hwan, hit a home run in his first game back, injecting good energy into the team," unable to hide his joy.

The veteran player was undoubtedly Noh Si-hwan. Meeting reporters after the game, he said, "Baseball was so much fun. It's been a while since I played and won, so it was a great day." He added, "I struck out in my first at-bat, but I felt good. I could see the ball well in the batter's box and felt good, and then I hit a home run in my second at-bat. Even though the result of my first at-bat was poor, I had confidence."

The home run he had long-awaited finally came after 64 plate appearances. Noh Si-hwan said, "It felt refreshing. I tried to find that feeling quickly, but it didn't come easily." He shared his thoughts, "As soon as I hit the home run, I felt relieved."

He tried to spend his time in the minor leagues productively. "Whenever I had a chance, I practiced with a training bat and spent each day. At first, when I was sent down and didn't play, I had a lot of time to talk with Coach Kim Ki-tae. I cleared my mind and heard many good words during that time, which was very helpful," he revealed.

Since he signed a very large contract, the criticism when he slumped was even harsher. Nevertheless, there were fans who showed unwavering affection, even traveling to Seosan to cheer for him. Noh Si-hwan also said, "It was really very helpful. I didn't know, but there were far more fans cheering for me." He explained, "I received personal messages, and although I couldn't read every single one, I realized this time how many fans are cheering for me. Thanks to the fans who waited for me, my thoughts changed a lot, and I think I improved a lot."

He also felt a heavy burden himself. "I even worried, 'Can I find my old form if I come back up?'" Coach Kim Ki-tae's help was significant. "He gave me a lot of confidence and told me a lot about the fans. 'There are definitely people who criticize you, but there are far more who cheer for you. So don't be afraid and play with confidence.' That's what I remember most." He added, "That line is what I remember most. I practiced a lot to make my swing, which was too big, more concise. And I improved in some areas."

Especially from a psychological perspective, he said, "Since my performance kept being poor, I felt I had to be chased. No matter how good your mentality is, if your performance doesn't come out, you get anxious." He revealed, "My confidence also dropped, and I had many negative thoughts mentally, but clearing my mind while in the minor leagues was very helpful."

He also actively accepted Manager Kim Kyung-moon's advice. "The manager told me to relieve the pressure. I think I unconsciously felt a lot of pressure. After signing the contract, the thought that I had to do better grew stronger. He told me to shake off the pressure and just play. I did it with a happy heart, and it went well," he conveyed.

Now, they will move to Daejeon to face the NC Dinos in a three-game series. He left all the bad memories in Seoul and will now be able to see home fans in Daejeon. Noh Si-hwan said, "I thought if the losing streak continued after I came back, my heart would be very heavy, but the losing streak was broken, and we got to play at home. I will try to continue winning at home."

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*This content was translated by AI.