"I was also a child who asked for a broken bat." This is why KT's Heo Kyung-min never overlooks young fans... "It is only natural to return the love I received." [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz veteran infielder Heo Kyung-min (36) revealed why he finds it difficult to pass by young fans without stopping.

On the 18th, at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium during a regular-season away game against LG Twins in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, Heo started as the fifth hitter and third baseman. He went 4-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored, helping KT secure an 8-2 victory.

After his first at-bat ended with a disappointing line drive to the third baseman, he made up for it with powerful hits. In the bottom of the third inning with two outs and a runner on first, Heo capitalized on Im Chan-kyu's off-center changeup, driving a single to left field that boosted his batting rhythm. He was also instrumental in KT's five-run fifth inning. After Sam Hilliard hit a three-run home run to take a 3-2 lead, LG replaced pitcher Im Chan-kyu with Yassel Rodríguez at the mound when Heo came up to bat.

Heo immediately attacked Rodríguez, who throws a fastball clocking up to 161 km/h, and connected on the first pitch for a two-out single that drove in one run. Although Rodríguez's 155 km/h fastball was well-placed low inside, Heo's batting skills were clearly superior. He added more hits in the seventh and eighth innings, achieving his second four-hit game of the year since the June 13 match against Suwon NC Dinos.

As a result, his season batting average rose significantly from 0.316 to 0.330. After the game, Heo told reporters, "Thanks to my teammates creating opportunities for me in front of the plate, I've been able to carry that positive energy into my at-bats. Through extensive discussions with our hitting coaches, I was also able to overcome a dip in my condition. The most important thing now is to maintain this momentum."

As a player who has spent many years playing at Jamsil, Heo boasts impressive statistics there. In 11 games, he hit .381 (16 hits in 42 at-bats), leading KT to five consecutive road victories against LG at Jamsil. Regarding this, Heo calmly said, "Teammates and coaches often tell me I seem to play better whenever we come to Jamsil. I try my best not to take those words too seriously. I approach every game with the mindset that it's just like any other stadium."

Even at his age, Heo's reliable net-like defense continues to support his pitchers. "Actually, I tend to dwell on any mistake, whether in offense or defense," Heo admitted. "So no matter the score difference, I keep striving to avoid further errors."

Originally, KT's team identity was built on a solid pitching staff and the strong defense that supported it, enabling five consecutive playoff appearances. Although the once-sturdy wall began to waver slightly due to the aging of key position players, Heo's addition quickly stabilized the infield. Moreover, alongside Kim Sang-su (36) and Oh Yun-seok (34), he has taken on a mentor role, helping young players like Kwon Dong-jin (28), Ryu Hyun-in (26), and Lee Kang-min (19) grow rapidly.

Heo emphasized, "I believe defense is not only the reason I play in games but also what allows me to continue playing baseball for longer. From camp onward, my first thought is always about defense." He added, "There are many hitters on this team who can perform well even without me. But since I feel that defense is the reason I must be on the field, I prioritize it above all else."

His positive influence extends beyond the field. Recently, Heo found a young fan on the club's YouTube channel who was visibly excited after seeing one of his hits. During the July 8 game against Suwon Kiwoom Heroes, footage showed a child cheering enthusiastically for Heo's hit. The clip reached Heo through acquaintances.

The hit came on the child's birthday, adding special meaning to the moment. Consequently, Heo plans to meet the young fan in person during the upcoming visit to Suwon Doosan Bears on the 21st and present a special gift. Heo has long been known for taking good care of young fans since his days with Doosan.

When asked why he does this, he replied, "I also grew up watching baseball as a child and cheering for professional players. Since then, I've believed that preserving and returning the love I received is my duty."

He continued, "Honestly, when I was young, I even asked players for broken bats, baseballs, or gloves. Some players were kind enough to give them to me, while others weren't. But those memories have stayed with me for 10 or 20 years."

When a senior player leads by example, juniors naturally follow. On home games of KBO's youngest franchise, which is approaching its first million spectators, stadiums remain packed hours after the game ends as fans stay to see players leaving. It has now become routine for KT players to sign autographs and take photos with fans one by one.

Heo said, "I don't consider this fan service. I do it because I believe returning the love I received is only natural. But people keep telling me nice things about it, and I don't know how to respond." He added, "This is something I must uphold not only while I'm playing baseball but also after I retire. So I don't feel like I've done anything special. It's simply my duty."

He hoped that the small memories built with players would become another reason for fans to visit the stadium. Heo shared sincerely, "I don't know how long these memories of me will last for young friends. But as I said earlier, I believe it's something I must do naturally. If receiving an item creates a happy memory, that alone makes me deeply grateful."

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*This content was translated by AI.