"Kim Hyun-soo hit several hits at Jamsil..." Lee Kang-cheol also regrets that the 'Hit Machine' did not make the All-Star team

*This content was translated by AI.

"He hit several hits at Jamsil..."

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) swallowed deep regret over the fact that 'Hit Machine' Kim Hyun-soo (38) did not make the All-Star team. Given that he was a hitter symbolizing the Jamsil Stadium, which will disappear into history at the end of this season, the sense of loss seemed even more profound.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol met with reporters ahead of KT Wiz's home game against Kiwoom Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 8th. As they discussed the All-Star break rosters, Kim Hyun-soo's name came up, prompting Lee to let out a sigh filled with feigned lament.

The manager started by asking, "Shouldn't Kim Hyun-soo be in the All-Star game?" and then countered, "Who else has hit that many hits at Jamsil?" This was praise for Kim's symbolism and consistency, having played for years as a home player at Jamsil Stadium since his professional debut and producing countless hits.

In fact, Kim Hyun-soo is a veteran hitter who represents the league and a stalwart of Jamsil. As of the 9th, he has recorded 2,630 career hits and is racing toward the unprecedented milestone of 3,000 hits. Since hitting 87 hits in the 2007 season while with the Doosan Bears, he has not missed a single season from 2008 through 2025, consistently recording over 100 hits each year. Coincidentally, both Doosan and LG Twins, teams Kim played for before joining KT, are clubs that use Jamsil Stadium. With the player who was 'Jamsil itself' failing to make the final All-Star roster for the last game at Jamsil, his team's commander could not hide his deep sense of regret.

When reporters mentioned that "the player himself really wants to play in the All-Star game," Manager Lee Kang-cheol nodded and trailed off with, "I'm not the (All-Star) manager..." The baton for Dream All-Star, to which KT belongs, is held by SSG Landers manager Lee Seung-yong. A bitter feeling of being unable to exercise full authority over player nominations was evident.

This topic arose while discussing the condition of KT outfielder Choi Won-jun (29). Choi, selected for his first All-Star Best Nine roster, has been playing exclusively as a designated hitter in the second half of the first half due to lingering effects from a back injury, without participating in defensive duties. He is likely to continue as a designated hitter even through the final game of the first half scheduled for the 9th. This is because, having been selected as an outfielder for the All-Star Best Nine, he cannot play as a designated hitter in that game.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol remarked, "Since this is a best roster chosen by fans, shouldn't the structure be such that if he plays defense even for one inning and then performs poorly, he gets substituted?" However, he also expressed regret: "But if he has to leave early, there's no one to replace him..."

Although the All-Star game should be a festival, the dilemma of Choi Won-jun's participation due to injury and the absence of veteran Kim Hyun-soo, who symbolizes the league, are leaving deep thoughts and lingering reflections for on-site commanders as they head toward the conclusion of the first half.

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*This content was translated by AI.