'Did he really think about KIA?' 8 billion won FA confesses: "After going 0-for-11, I couldn't help but feel it..." → Finally, the '3-hit' cold streak explodes!

*This content was translated by AI.

He finally broke through with a hit in front of home fans at his former team, the KIA Tigers. And not just one, but three. This is the story of '8 billion won free agent (FA)' Park Chan-ho (31).

Doosan secured a 4-2 victory over KIA in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 12th.

With this win, Doosan achieved a two-game winning streak, improving their record to 32 wins, 2 ties, and 30 losses. The sixth-place Doosan narrowed the gap with fifth-place KIA from 1.5 games to 0.5 games. Meanwhile, KIA fell into a three-game losing streak, recording 33 wins, 1 tie, and 30 losses.

On this day, Park Chan-ho started as the leadoff hitter and shortstop, going 3-for-5 with great momentum. In the first inning, he appeared as the leadoff batter and was retired on a third-base grounder. In the second inning, he was out on a center-field fly ball, swallowing his disappointment.

That same player then hit a hit in all three at-bats from the fifth through the seventh, and again in the ninth. In the fifth inning, with one out and a runner on second base, he successfully executed a bunt toward first base. It was a scene that showed his intense desire for a hit.

There was a reason for this. On the 12th of last month, Park Chan-ho visited the home stadium of KIA, where he had played for 12 years. On his first day in Gwangju, he even distributed rice cakes to convey his sincerity. Park Chan-ho said, "For 12 years since my professional debut, I received immense love from KIA Tigers fans. Although it was a small gesture, I prepared to return even a fraction of that love. I wanted to share it directly, but it was difficult due to circumstances, so I am grateful to the KIA organization for their cooperation in delivering it. I thank everyone once again."

However, during the actual games, he went 0-for-4 in the first series, 0-for-3 in the second, and 0-for-4 in the third, bowing his head in silence.

And now, after about a month, he returned to Gwangju-KIA Champions Field. Park Chan-ho broke his silence of 13 hitless at-bats in Gwangju road games this season, achieving three consecutive hits in three at-bats.

After the game, Park Chan-ho said, "I am happy that the team can continue its winning streak. When I visited Gwangju in May, I didn't think much about it. I thought it was just one of many games. But after going 0-for-11 in that series, I think I unconsciously became more aware this time. I feel relieved after recording three hits."

Regarding the situation during the surprise bunt, he explained, "My batting touch hasn't been good recently, so I tried the surprise bunt to get back on track. I was able to get a hit in the direction I wanted."

Finally, he said, "I thank the fans who came to Sajik and Gwangju and cheered loudly for us. I will prepare well for the game on the 13th," pledging to perform well.

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*This content was translated by AI.