'Moving to KIA via trade' Ha Ju-seok bids farewell: "The time I spent with Hanwha is the most precious page of my baseball career → I will never forget it"

*This content was translated by AI.

Infielder Ha Ju-seok (32), who is moving to KIA Tigers via a trade, left a final farewell message for fans of his former team, Hanwha Eagles.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Ha Ju-seok posted a heartfelt letter on his SNS expressing his sincere gratitude to the Hanwha fans he has been with for a long time.

He recalled, "From the moment I first put on the Hanwha Eagles uniform until now, so much time has passed." He added, "In that time, there were happy moments and regrettable ones, but you, the Hanwha Eagles fans, were always by my side."

Continuing, he said, "You laughed with me on good days and cheered for me more warmly than anyone during difficult times. Sometimes you gave me sharp criticism for my shortcomings, which became the driving force that made me vow to become a player who always strives with humility." He repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

He did not hide his mixed feelings of regret over the sudden transfer and a whirlwind of emotions. Ha Ju-seok stated, "It is something that can happen at any time in the world of professional baseball, but as I am actually saying goodbye, many emotions are surging." He emphasized, "The time I spent with Hanwha Eagles will remain the most precious page of my baseball career for a long time."

He further said, "Although I was lacking and sometimes made mistakes, the moments when you always shouted my name will remain as precious memories that I will never forget. Even at my new team, I vow to be a player who performs well for the fans and gives his all on the field." Finally, he concluded his farewell to his former team with, "Fans, I am sorry. And I want to express my deep gratitude once again."

KIA, which is looking to strengthen its infield through this trade, welcomes Ha Ju-seok's addition as he has been maintaining decent batting form recently. Although Ha Ju-seok appeared in only 27 first-division games this season, he showed strong batting performance in the Futures League with a .327 average (98 at-bats, 32 hits) across 32 games. In particular, his recent 10-game record also posted a .300 average (30 at-bats, 9 hits), signaling promising activity.

Fans are watching closely to see if Ha Ju-seok, who has guarded the infield in Daejeon for a long time, can successfully open a new second chapter of his baseball career with KIA Tigers through this trade.

<Below is the full text of Ha Ju-seok's letter>

Hello. This is Ha Ju-seok.

Even as I write this, my heart feels very complicated.

From the moment I first put on the Hanwha Eagles uniform until now, so much time has passed. In that time, there were happy moments and regrettable ones, but you, the Hanwha Eagles fans, were always by my side.

You laughed with me on good days and cheered for me more warmly than anyone during difficult times. Sometimes you gave me sharp criticism for my shortcomings, which became the driving force that made me vow to become a player who always strives with humility.

I am suddenly continuing my player career at a new team through a trade. It is something that can happen at any time in the world of professional baseball, but as I am actually saying goodbye, many emotions are surging.

The time I spent with Hanwha Eagles will remain the most precious page of my baseball career for a long time. And the support and cheers you gave me, even though I was lacking and sometimes made mistakes, the moments when you always shouted my name will remain as precious memories that I will never forget. The time I spent with Hanwha's passionate fans will never change. Even at my new place, I vow to be a player who performs well for the fans and gives his all on the field.

I sincerely thank you for believing in and cheering for me despite my shortcomings.

I truly wish that only good things happen to Hanwha Eagles in the future.

On the day we meet again at the stadium, I hope we can exchange warm greetings with each other.

Fans, I am sorry. And expressing my deep gratitude once again, I will end here.

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*This content was translated by AI.