"I'll run with grit." KBO's top hitter's willpower brings a smile to manager Lee Kang-cheol, the " Dad": "Substitute OK... but we need to see until Monday (the 6th)." [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz's Choi Won-jun (29), burning with determination to play, has brought a smile to manager Lee Kang-cheol (60), who has been worried lately.

On the 4th, KT announced its starting lineup for the home game against Lotte Giants at Suwon KT Wiz Park in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

KT's lineup that day consisted of Ryu Hyun-jin (third baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Ahn Hyeon-min (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Jang Jin-hyeok (right fielder), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Ko Young-pyo.

Lotte countered with a lineup featuring Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Go Seung-min (second baseman), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Park Chan-hyung (third baseman), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). The starting pitcher was Jeremy Wisely.

KT's regular leadoff hitter and this year's KBO League top batter, Choi Won-jun, has missed four consecutive games due to lower back pain he felt during a defensive play in the the 28th game against Daejeon Hanwha Eagles. A detailed examination on June 29, the following day, revealed a diagnosis of erector spinae strain.

Choi Won-jun is currently batting.365 (112 hits in 307 at-bats) over 75 games with seven home runs, 44 RBIs, 66 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. His on-base percentage stands at 0.444, slugging percentage at 0.518, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) at 0.962. With him out, KT has posted a poor record of one win and two losses.

The injury is not serious. He has been traveling with the first-division team and even participated in batting practice that day. When reporters asked manager Lee Kang-cheol about Choi Won-jun's return timeline, the manager called over Choi, who happened to be passing by. Manager Lee said, "(Choi) Won-jun, I don't know much about you. Since they're asking, go ahead and answer."

When reporters asked if he was feeling well, Choi Won-jun looked directly at manager Lee Kang-cheol and strongly advocated for his participation: "If the manager sends me out, I can play. Whether it's hitting or anything else, I'm ready."

Manager Lee then asked back, "You can't run, but you can hit?" Choi Won-jun replied emphatically, "I can do 70–80% of running. Even if I have to grit my teeth, I'll run. I'm also fine as a pinch hitter. Please send me out in important situations. I'll even go out after getting hit."

Overwhelmed by his passion, manager Lee Kang-cheol admonished him: "You can't get hit by the ball. You have to dodge it. If we're going to win, we need to avoid that." But Choi Won-jun firmly refused, saying, "I can't dodge when the bases are loaded."

Ultimately, the commander raised both hands and feet in surrender. Manager Lee Kang-cheol burst into a hearty laugh: "Alright, if the bases are loaded, go out after getting hit. I'll check and maybe send you out as a pinch hitter." Still smiling, he added, "Even so, we need to see until Monday (the 6th). It would be great if he can return sometime next week."

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*This content was translated by AI.