What does "Jamsil Doosan game" mean to Heo Kyung-min? "Hmm... I need to think about it before I answer."

*This content was translated by AI.

The midweek three-game series between Doosan Bears and KT Wiz, held at Seoul Jamsil Stadium from the 26th to the 28th, drew attention as a "home team derby." KT infielder Heo Kyung-min (36) moved to Doosan as a 2025 FA (free agent), while Doosan pitcher Benjamin (33) recorded 31 wins during his three seasons with KT from 2022 to 2024.

Benjamin made his first start against his former team on the 27th, pitching seven innings with two hits allowed and no runs, securing the victory. After the game, he shared his mixed feelings: "Facing KT batters brought a complex mix of good and bad emotions. I even felt a strange sensation."

Heo Kyung-min, who played exclusively for Doosan for 16 years since his debut, how did he feel? We asked him, "It's now your second year, but how does it feel to play against Doosan at Jamsil?" This was after the game on the 26th, where he excelled in offense, defense, and base running, leading his team to a 6-0 victory.

Heo Kyung-min's first answer was, "Hmm... I think I need to think about it before I answer." He continued speaking not about Doosan, but about Jamsil Stadium.

"Jamsil is where I started my professional baseball career. I heard that an All-Star game will be held at Jamsil this year (ahead of its demolition). As a personal goal, I thought I'd like to play my last All-Star game at the place where my first memories are, by performing well this season, but due to injury, I've been out for quite a long time, so I feel a bit guilty about that."

Heo Kyung-min added, "Right now, our team is in a very important period, so I am trying my best to help."

Heo Kyung-min was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Eom Sang-baek (30) during the March 31 game against Daejeon Hanwha Eagles early in the season and had to sit out for ten days. After returning on April 11, he suffered a left thigh injury during the fourth game on the 15th against Changwon NC Dinos, missing nearly a month before returning to the first division on the 12th.

Although he has played in only 21 games this season, he is showing excellent batting form with a .385 average (25 hits in 65 at-bats), two home runs, and 13 RBIs, while also maintaining stable performance at third base.

Against his former team Doosan this season, Heo Kyung-min has recorded a .353 average (6 hits in 17 at-bats, including three doubles) and 3 RBIs in five games. In his first year after moving, last season, he hit .262 (11 hits in 42 at-bats) in 11 games, hitting two of his four season home runs and recording seven RBIs, second only to the 11th RBIs he had against SSG Landers.

KT manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) often jokes, "KT alumni seem to play harder whenever they face us. Pitchers might not always get to play, but batters often get three or four plate appearances in a single game, so it can be tough. I think we shouldn't let batters go to other teams in the future."

The phrase "su-gu-cho-sim" () means "the heart of a fox when it dies, turning its head toward the den where it lived," expressing nostalgia for one's hometown. Even as time passes and former teammates become opponents, the complex and subtle emotions toward the former team, filled with memories of the "beginning," seem to be something everyone shares.

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*This content was translated by AI.