'Trade' Son A-seop's '400' batting average makes a perfect comeback! → Manager praises: "I truly believe he is someone we should emulate"

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears veteran outfielder Son A-seop (38) has made a perfect comeback. Since returning from the minor league to the first division, he has been hitting with a batting average in the .400s. Above all, his sincere attitude toward baseball is serving as an inspiration.

Doosan will play a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game against Lotte Giants at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 17th.

Doosan narrowly lost to Lotte 5-6 on the 15th, but secured a thrilling walk-off victory 10-9 in an 11-inning battle the previous day (16th). The hero of today's winning series will be decided.

Today, Doosan set its starting lineup in the following order: Jung Soobin (center field), Son A-seop (designated hitter), Cameron (right field), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Kim Min-seok (left field), Park Ji-hoon (shortstop), Kang Seung-ho (first baseman), Oh Myung-jin (second baseman), and Im Jong-seong (third baseman). The starting pitcher is left-hander Choi Seung-yong.

Compared to the previous day, Park Chan-ho was excluded from the starting lineup. Park Ji-hoon, who has primarily played third base, was placed in Park Chan-ho's spot. Additionally, Im Jong-seong will start at third base.

Furthermore, Son A-seop will start again.

Son A-seop started as the third designated hitter the previous day, recording 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 run, and 1 walk in 4 at-bats. Most impressively, his full-speed sprint toward first base at every moment of batting was striking.

Ahead of today's game, Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong praised Son A-seop, saying, "He performed well in the minor league and worked hard. I believe that kind of hard work is showing up during games." He did not hold back his praise.

He continued, "He always shows his best effort by sprinting. I think that is what younger players should learn from. While the career he has built so far is important, his current attitude is also setting an example. Doing that on the field is truly something we should emulate," giving a thumbs-up.

Since returning to the first division on the 14th, Son A-seop has shown strong performance with 5 hits in 12 at-bats (.417), 3 RBIs, 1 run, and 2 walks.

Meanwhile, Doosan starter Choi Seung-yong has started 8 games this season with a record of 1 win and 4 losses and an ERA of 5.06. Over a total of 37 1/3 innings, he has allowed 44 hits (1 home run), issued 19 walks, recorded 22 strikeouts, and allowed 24 runs (21 earned runs). His WHIP is 1.69, and his batting average against is 0.297. He has achieved one quality start (6 innings with 3 or fewer earned runs). This is his first time facing Lotte this season.

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*This content was translated by AI.