'Jamsil, where I used to hold my father's hand... this is the last year...' Elin, who came down to the field, vows to survive in the first division: "I will become a player sought by the manager and coaches" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

For Moon Jung-bin (23), a former Elin (LG Twins+Children) who now plays for LG Twins, the feeling of playing at Jamsil Baseball Stadium is particularly special.

Ahead of the Gwangju KIA Tigers game on the 18th, Moon Jung-bin told StarNews, "If I had been on another team, it would have been just ordinary. But since it's the team where (Moon) Sun-jae played, and I continued to live in Seoul and watch LG baseball, growing up as an LG fan and now playing as an LG player is a happy thing," he said calmly.

Moon Jung-bin, who graduated from Gajungcho Elementary, Jamsin Middle, and Seoul High School, is a right-handed batter and right-handed pitcher prospect who joined LG in the 2022 KBO Rookie Draft's second round, 77th overall pick. At the time of his signing, he was known for coming from a baseball family where his father, umpire Moon Seung-hoon (60), and his cousins, players Moon Sun-jae (36) and Moon Jin-je (35), were all active players.

However, Moon Jung-bin himself was also expected as a powerful hitting prospect comparable to Lee Jae-won (27) and Song Chan-ui (27), after hitting 6 home runs in 28 Futures League games after his military service in 2024. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) even named these three as batters capable of hitting home runs over the fence at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

In response, Moon Jung-bin smiled and said, "Among the three, (Lee) Jae-won is such a strong hitter that he will likely hit the farthest. I don't think I will. It's good to be expected like that, but results must follow. I am working hard to create good results."

From the 19th to the 21st, LG will host a three-game home series against the Doosan Bears as a Classic Day. To commemorate the final season at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, which will close after this season, the plan is to offer nostalgia to old fans and a unique experience to new fans. Accordingly, many memories that will make LG fans nostalgic are expected to be summoned. Players from both teams will enter the field wearing vintage uniforms and selecting songs from before 2010 as their entrance music.

The ceremonial first pitch lineup is also spectacular. On the 19th, Lee Byung-kyu (52), an LG franchise star and retired number, who is now the LG Futures League manager and known as 'La Bang', will throw the ceremonial first pitch. On the 20th, Lee Dae-hyung, a commentator known as 'Super Sonic' who won the stolen base title four times and a Golden Glove award once, will throw the pitch. On the final day, the 21st, LG passionate fan and author Kim Eun-hee, known as the 'Jamsil Rival Couple', and Doosan manager Jang Hang-jun will each take the ceremonial first pitch and first hit, respectively.

Elins also shared their regrets and memories about the final Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Moon Jung-bin said, "I went to the baseball stadium with my father so often that I don't remember when I first went to Jamsil Baseball Stadium. The Elin camp from the early 2010s is the most memorable. My father even made Elin cards, and only those who had them could attend," he laughed.

Among LG fans, he is known as a successful Elin. He inherited the sparkling cheer song of his role model, Chae Eun-seong (36, Hanwha Eagles), and is now spreading his name throughout Jamsil Stadium.

Moon Jung-bin recalled, "When I was young, (Chae) Eun-seong was so good. He was an amazing and outstanding senior, and his cheer song was also cool. I thought I would one day receive such a cheer song, but I didn't expect it to come to me." He added, "When I was in the military, Senior Eun-seong left as a free agent. I remember my sister telling me about his transfer via an internet letter. At the moment I received that cheer song, I resolved to always repay it."

Currently, that resolve is showing well on the field. Moon Jung-bin, who made his first division debut last year, is fulfilling his role this season as an infield backup and pinch hitter in 20 games, batting .271 (48 at-bats, 13 hits) with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs, a on-base percentage of .345, and a slugging percentage of .563. In the Jamsil Lotte Giants game on the 13th, he enjoyed his own cheer song with a powerful home run. Coincidentally, he has hit 3 of his 5 career home runs, including his debut home run, against Lotte.

Moon Jung-bin said, "My results in home runs this year were not good, so the home run on the 13th was especially good. My debut hit also came as a home run in the Jamsil Lotte game. I only recently learned that I hit well against Lotte, so I think I'm approaching the plate positively. When I hit the home run, it was great that all the fans at Jamsil sang my cheer song together," he smiled.

Despite a lightning-fast home run among many strong seniors, he did not get a starting opportunity for some time. However, he is not overly concerned about that. Moon Jung-bin said firmly, "I am practicing everything I can do. There are so many good seniors that it's not easy for me to start anyway. Whether it's defense or base running, I think there are many parts I can fill through training, so I am working hard on everything."

He continued, "As long as I can play, I don't mind any position. I've played mostly at first base this year and feel most comfortable there, but in the Futures League this year, I played almost exclusively at third base, so there's no burden. Since first division batters have faster hit balls and more power, I am practicing with Coach Kim Il-kyung to respond faster. If I continue to practice consistently, I think I can show better third base defense in the first division as well," he emphasized.

Moon Jung-bin's stance is that there is no room for complaints given the limited opportunities. Instead, he expressed gratitude for the chance to experience a first division game even for a day at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, where he used to play. Moon Jung-bin said, "(With limited opportunities) I am not disappointed at all. It would be great to play in games, but just being able to observe and listen in the first division is helpful. There are so many outstanding seniors and players, so if I do my best in my position, I think good results will come."

He added, "It is very sad that Jamsil Baseball Stadium is disappearing. I debuted at Jamsil last year, so this is only my second year," he laughed, then stated, "Still, if a new baseball stadium is built and I can play there, that would be enough. For this year, my goal is to stay with the first division until the end. Even if I go to the second division, I will prepare more diligently and come back up. I want to become a player that the manager and coaches are looking for, by doing my best and working even harder."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.