'Hanwha → Doosan' Major Trade Comes Through — Finally Shines, 2 Hits → 2 Hits → 0 → 2 Hits → 2 Hits: 'Class Is Eternal'

*This content was translated by AI.

What if the trade had not gone through? It would truly be a win-win for both the team that acquired him and Son Ah-seop (38) himself. This is the story of the former power hitter who once dominated the league, now established as the centerpiece of the Doosan Bears lineup.

On the 21st, Son Ah-seop started as the designated hitter for the third time in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season home game against NC Dinos at Seoul Jamsil Stadium. He went 2-for-4 with one RBI and hit the game-winning run, leading his team to a 1-0 victory.

Son Ah-seop's game-winning hit came in the first inning, the only RBI of the day for both teams. With one out and a runner on second, Son stepped up to the plate against NC starter Natsuki Toda. After a 2-2 count, he connected on the fifth pitch, a 151 km/h fastball, for a two-run single to center field.

In the third inning, with two outs and a runner on first, Son was retired on a strikeout at the plate after a five-pitch battle. He completed his multi-hit game in the fifth inning. With two outs and no runners on base, he faced Toda again and, after a seven-pitch at-bat, hit a forkball (132 km/h) that dropped just inside the right-field line for a double. The ball, struck squarely on the sweet spot, flew powerfully into the corner of the outfield. It was a scene that confirmed Son's batting form had fully returned.

In the eighth inning, Son displayed his characteristic tenacity. The NC pitcher was Ryu Jin-wook. After a tense at-bat that went to a full count, Son was called out looking on the eighth pitch, a 150 km/h fastball.

After today's game, Son Ah-seop's season statistics stand at 18 games played, with a batting average of 0.217 (13 hits in 60 at-bats), one home run, eight RBIs, seven runs scored, two doubles, seven walks, 15 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.300, an on-base percentage of 0.290, an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.590, and a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.267. He has raised his batting average from as low as 0.111 to the .200s.

Son Ah-seop joined Doosan via trade on April 14. At that time, Doosan received Son in exchange for pitcher Lee Gyo-hoon and 150 million won in cash from Hanwha Eagles. However, he struggled to find his hitting form after joining Doosan. After spending time in the minor league to regroup, he returned to the first division on the 14th.

Since his return to the first division, Son has been instrumental in leading the team's upward momentum, batting 0.375 (9 hits in 24 at-bats) with four RBIs, two runs scored, and three walks in six games. After recording multi-hit games against Lotte Giants on the 15th and 16th, he went hitless on the 17th, but then delivered multi-hit performances again against NC on the 19th and 21st. He is tormenting opposing pitchers with his signature tenacious at-bats.

Before today's game, Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong said of Son Ah-seop, "I actually felt he wasn't fully prepared for this season. From spring camp, he lacked sufficient time to focus on baseball in various aspects." He continued, "When I was informed about him being sent to the minor league, I was told that even in minor league games, he was working hard on base running and giving his all, just like in the first division. I saw a message in his effort to give his all, just like in the first division."

He added, "Whether he hits well or not is important, but even at his age, he doesn't take things lightly and shows that kind of attitude. When I see that, I definitely feel a sense of guilt. I wanted to see him playing in the first division sooner." He concluded, "Professionals must speak through their skills, but sometimes that kind of attitude and demeanor is very important. In that regard, he has been showing good form and getting good results. The key is that he has been well-preparing his physical condition by balancing training and games in the minor league." He did not hold back on his praise.

Even after the game, Manager Kim praised Son, saying, "In the first inning, with a scoring opportunity created by Park Chan-ho's double, Son Ah-seop displayed clutch ability befitting a veteran." Son Ah-seop, once the all-time hits leader in KBO League history, has started running again to reclaim his place by showing his class.

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*This content was translated by AI.