'Former KIA' Eric Lauer's moving confession: "I was ignored in the U.S., but in Korea, I was encouraged to try everything I wanted → You gave me a rebirth"

*This content was translated by AI.

'Left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer (30), who wrote a dramatic turnaround story with his return to Major League Baseball (MLB) and signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, named the KIA Tigers organization as the decisive benefactor who saved his career. He left a sincere confession to Korean baseball, which gave him unwavering trust when he was lost on the mound while suffering from an obsession with pitch velocity, and laid the foundation for his resurrection.

'In an exclusive interview with the New York Post posted on the 27th (Korean time), Lauer calmly revealed how his completely collapsed confidence was revived in Korea. His story was filled with deep gratitude toward the KIA organization and Korean baseball.

'According to the report, Lauer was at a dead end in 2024 when injuries and poor performance coincided. Amidst the MLB trend of constantly demanding high velocity, his position as a crafty left-handed pitcher close to a finesse style had narrowed to the point of near extinction. Lauer honestly confessed the thorough sense of alienation he felt at the time.

'He recalled, "At the time I left for Korea for the 2024 season, I viewed that choice as a kind of 'reset.' When I went to Korea, the KIA organization instilled in me an immense amount of confidence and belief that I was still a good pitcher. In fact, until I came to Korea, I had heard nothing but 'You're useless if you can't throw 95 mph (about 153 km/h)' for a year and a half in the U.S. Since everyone ignored me, I unknowingly started believing that line and think I lost my strengths."

'Lauer continued, "But KIA gave me a full three months to check my own pitching form, think with my head, and experiment freely with everything. No one interfered or controlled me by saying 'Don't do that.' Under the encouragement to 'try everything you want,' I was able to perfectly regain the stability of my mechanics. I even gained the conviction that 'now I just need to step hard and throw with all my might on the mound.' The experience in Korea completely gave me a rebirth."

'The New York Post also acknowledged that Lauer's bold gamble in signing with the KIA Tigers ultimately returned as a very large reward, recognizing the choice as "a move from heaven."

'Lauer made his first appearance in the KBO League in August 2024, posting a record of 2 wins, 2 losses, and a 4.93 ERA in 7 games. While not an outstanding performance, he showed a decent walk/strikeout ratio with 12 walks and 37 strikeouts. He became the losing pitcher in Game 3 of the Korean Series against the Samsung Lions, allowing 7 hits (2 home runs) and 2 earned runs over 5 innings, but he contributed to KIA's Korean Series championship and received a happy ending.

'After being removed from the reserve list and his departure from KIA confirmed, Lauer went through Toronto and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the 27th, Lauer made his Dodgers debut against the Colorado Rockies, pitching a quality start (QS) with 6 innings, 4 hits allowed (1 home run), 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 earned run, securing his second win (5 losses) of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.