"Even if any pitcher comes in..." The batting champion, Koo Ja-wook, who impressed even the manager, has begun his final push for his first championship.

*This content was translated by AI.

There was just one thing missing for the perfect Koo Ja-wook (33, Samsung Lions). He hit three home runs in two games, leading Samsung to three consecutive victories. Manager Park Jin-man expressed admiration for the captain's hot hitting form.

Koo Ja-wook recorded a .357 batting average (117 hits in 328 at-bats) in 86 games this season, rising to first place in batting. In addition, he hit three home runs in his recent two games, driving in eight runs and leading the team to three consecutive wins.

On the 16th, before a home game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daegu Samsung Lions Park was canceled due to field conditions, Manager Park Jin-man met with reporters and said, "It seems Ja-wook is in such good condition that he can handle any pitcher."

Koo Ja-wook led the team to break a four-game losing streak with three hits and three runs scored in the game against KIA Tigers on the 13th. On the 14th against Hanwha, he hit his first five-hit game of the season, including two home runs, leading the team to victory. The solo home run that took the lead in the fourth inning and the go-ahead shot in the sixth were decisive.

In the game on the 15th, starting with a go-ahead two-run home run in the first inning, he drove in one run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh to take the lead again, and then hit a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth, leading the team to victory with his first five-RBI game of the season.

The manager focused on the home run to left field hit against Park Jun-young on the 15th. "Ja-wook was a bit off before that too. Ja-wook played a great role in Gwangju, so our mood improved," he said, adding, "It's been quite a while since Ja-wook hit a home run, but now he is hitting them in succession. It's more positive that the home runs came from driving the ball."

Although he has had an impressive season, he did not hit a home run in 15 games from the 19th to the 14th of last month. Manager Park said, "He thinks and drives the ball to hit home runs, so they are coming out even when pulling, and his hitting line has improved." He also evaluated, "If the contact point is in front, it can go over to the right side, and even if he is slightly late, he can drive it over. This means his trajectory has improved significantly."

Koo Ja-wook joined Samsung in the second round of the 2012 rookie draft. After completing his military service with the Army Baseball Team (Marine Corps) early on, he made his debut in 2015. He showed exceptional hitting talent from his first season with a .349 batting average and won Rookie of the Year, but coincidentally, it was the season Samsung narrowly failed to achieve five consecutive championships.

After that, the team went on a downward spiral. In 2021, they returned to the postseason after a long time, starting in the playoffs after a tie-breaker, but were defeated by Doosan Bears and finished third. In 2024, despite dazzling performances in the postseason, an injury forced them to watch their team finish as runners-up.

Therefore, he feels strongly that he cannot miss this season's opportunity where first place is within reach. During the heatwave rest period, he gathered players to deliver a special message.

Manager Park said, "I heard the story. That too is an opportunity, so we indoctrinated them about such situations from the camp at the beginning of this season. Since this year is an opportunity, the players also prepared with that mindset from the start." He added, "Even in the current situation, if they can endure a little longer, good results will surely come. So it seems the players are creating that atmosphere well."

He continued, "The captain Koo Ja-wook and the senior Choi Hyung-woo came. Hyung-woo always keeps indoctrinating the players with the message, 'It's an opportunity. When this year's opportunity comes, we must win.' The whole team is spontaneously creating that atmosphere. I believe the players will perform well until the end of the season," he said with a smile.

He leads the squad with determination to secure their first championship for the team and etch it into Koo Ja-wook's career. He has also been building momentum by hitting home runs in the latter half of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.