'KBO's first foreign player to pitch' Davidson, who dedicated himself to the team, was treated with utmost respect by NC

*This content was translated by AI.

The club and fans completed a beautiful farewell for Matt Davidson (35), the former NC Dinos foreign hitter and "icon of dedication," who even took the mound for the team, with the utmost respect.

On the 26th, NC Dinos unexpectedly announced that it would file a waiver request for Davidson ahead of the home game against Kiwoom Heroes at Changwon NC Park.

As a result, the game on the 26th became Davidson's "farewell match in Changwon." Davidson, who was batting .290 with 8 home runs and 40 RBIs in 63 games this season, was scheduled to be placed on waivers due to a decision to replace foreign players to strengthen the team's roster, but NC went to great lengths to show him respect until the very last moment.

Before the game, manager Lee Ho-jun personally addressed the farewell process with Davidson, swallowing his regret. The manager said, "After continuous discussions with the club and the team to strengthen our roster, we made this decision," and also revealed behind-the-scenes details: "I met with Davidson directly and talked with him. Although he was a bit flustered, he calmly accepted it, saying, 'This is something everyone goes through when playing baseball.'"

Manager Lee added, "As a manager, this is the first time I have had to part ways with a foreign player mid-season, so I am also flustered," but also sent sincere support: "I hope Davidson ends his time in NC gracefully, having hit home runs and received the MVP award."

In response to the manager's heartfelt wish, Davidson lit up his final game with a powerful bat. After hitting a two-run double with one RBI to set the stage for a comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning when the team was trailing 0-4, he followed up with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory. Davidson finished with 2 hits in 4 at-bats and 3 RBIs, brilliantly capping off his final game in NC. The team secured a decisive 11-4 victory.

In fact, Davidson left a strong milestone not only in NC Dinos history but also in the entire KBO League. On August 24, 2025, during a game against Changwon Lotte, with the team trailing 5-17 in the top of the ninth inning, two outs, and a runner on first, he made a surprise appearance on the mound, retiring Hwang Seong-bin with a fly out to center field, pitching a scoreless 1/3 inning. This marked the first time in baseball history that a foreign player on a KBO League roster had appeared on the mound in the first division. His willingness to take the mound to prevent bullpen exhaustion demonstrated dedication that deeply moved fans. Davidson remains the only foreign player in KBO history to have appeared as a position player on the mound.

The NC club never forgot the dedication Davidson showed. Davidson is the second-longest-serving foreign hitter in club history, following Eric Thames (40), who led the dinosaur squad's lineup for three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016. After the farewell match ended, not only the NC players but also club staff who had spent three years together shed tears during the farewell event, sharing a warm sense of parting.

Manager Lee Ho-jun, who never forgot this dedication, bowed his head after the game, saying, "I sincerely thank him for his professional attitude of giving his all until the very last moment for the team." Changwon home fans, too, completed a true "beautiful farewell" by rising to their feet in unison, offering standing ovations and cheers amidst tears after the game ended.

Thus, after debuting in the KBO League in the 2024 season, Davidson is leaving Changwon with an impressive cumulative record of 306 games, a .298 batting average (331 hits in 1,111 at-bats), 90 home runs, and 256 RBIs.

However, under KBO regulations, if another team files a claim, Davidson may still have the opportunity to continue playing in the KBO League this season. If Kiwoom, which is reportedly considering signing Davidson, takes him in, there is a possibility he could appear as a boomerang in the remaining games scheduled between the two teams. With all Changwon matchups already scheduled through the game on the 28th set to conclude, one more Changwon matchup is yet to be determined. If his destination is decided to be Kiwoom, Changwon fans may experience a strange reunion with Davidson, now an opponent, through the remaining game schedule.

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*This content was translated by AI.