"I can only think that I must play better than competing..." Lotte's '50-game suspension' man sprints full speed even on a 1st baseman's grounder → 4-run big inning 'Just like this'

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants' Kim Dong-hyeok (26), who returned from a gambling-related suspension, created a big inning with a full-speed sprint.

Kim Dong-hyeok appeared as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 5th inning in the visiting game against KIA Tigers at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 2nd, recording 2 at-bats with no hits and 1 run scored.

This was Kim Dong-hyeok's first first-division game of the year. In February, Kim Dong-hyeok visited an illegal gambling den along with Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, and Kim Se-min during the Taiwan spring camp and received a 50-game suspension from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Unlike the other three players, he visited the gambling den three times, resulting in the harshest penalty.

The 50-game suspension ended on the 29th of last month. After playing two Futures League games against the Ulsan Whales at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, he was promoted to the first division. Before the game, Kim Dong-hyeok met with reporters and said, "I am so sorry that I did such a thing even though there are fans cheering for me like this. I will feel the weight of the uniform, act more maturely, and strive to show many good performances on the field," bowing his head.

It was a game that demonstrated that resolve. By the end of the 7th inning, Lotte had not scored any runs. They struggled to maintain momentum against the shaky James Neill, consistently reaching base but recording two double plays.

It seemed the 8th inning would end that way. With one out, Na Seung-yeop drew a walk against Jung Hae-young, and pinch hitter Yu Gangnam entered the plate, but he struck out. At that moment, Kim Dong-hyeok stepped into the batter's box and hit Jung Hae-young's third pitch, a forkball, hard, creating a grounder to the first base side. He sprinted full speed toward first base, and combined with Jung Hae-young's slightly late coverage, the play was ruled safe after video review.

It did not end there. On the immediately following play, when Son Ho-young hit a double to left-center field, Kim Dong-hyeok ran unimpeded from first base all the way to home plate, brushing the home plate. It was a run that boosted the chasing momentum. Energized by the atmosphere, Lotte succeeded in a 4-run big inning, extending the lead with Son Seong-bin's two-run double to left-center field. Although they could not prevent giving up a solo home run by Na Sung-beom in the bottom of the 8th inning and a sacrifice fly by Han Jun-soo to center field with one out and runners on base in the 9th inning, it was a moment that gave hope.

Kim Dong-hyeok, in his fourth year of professional debut, played in the most games last year with 93 games and 114 plate appearances, making valuable contributions primarily as a pinch runner and pinch hitter. Since he was at a point where he was beginning to compete for a starting position, his deviation as a promising player was a very great disappointment. However, he renewed his resolve to show a changed appearance.

Kim Dong-hyeok said, "Actually, when I was promoted to the first division before, I thought I had to win the competition and become a starter, but this time I can only think that I must play well." He added, "Actually, I know this image won't be forgotten, but I think I must work hard to be remembered as a good player no matter what. I missed baseball a lot and wanted to play many games. Through this incident, I feel I realized again that I love baseball, so I think I must act more maturely," solidifying his resolve.

The first step of reflection began with a full-speed sprint on the field. Whether he can win back the hearts of disappointed fans depends on his future performance.

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*This content was translated by AI.