He couldn't even make eye contact with the coach... 'Kim Won-hyung was right.' Doosan's No. 4 hitter is Yang Ui-ji.

*This content was translated by AI.

"He couldn't look me in the eye."

It was early May. Kim Won-hyung (54), manager of the Doosan Bears, said this about team veteran Yang Ui-ji (39). Yang had gone hitless in four consecutive games up to that point and felt so apologetic toward the team that he couldn't properly meet the manager's gaze.

Despite this, Manager Kim did not lose faith in Yang Ui-ji. Even though his batting average at the start of the season was below 0.100 and he hit his first home run only after 14 games into the season, he consistently kept Yang in the No. 4 spot in the lineup.

Manager Kim Won-hyung's resolve proved correct. Yang Ui-ji gradually regained his hitting form and has demonstrated "Yang Ui-ji-style" power since June, posting a batting average close to 0.300 (0.292) with 11 home runs in 52 games.

In the game against the NC Dinos held at Changwon NC Park on the 18th, Yang Ui-ji led his team to a thrilling comeback victory. Trailing 1-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, he hit a solo home run over the left-field wall off opposing starter Riley, narrowing the score by one run. Then, with the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and bases loaded, he drew a bases-loaded walk from Kim Jin-ho to secure the go-ahead RBI. Doosan, which had nearly fallen into a three-game losing streak, went on to win 6-4 after Jung Soobin hit a two-RBI double down the middle.

Yang Ui-ji's batting average for this season stands at 0.265 (344 at-bats, 91 hits). While it may not match his reputation as last year's batting champion (0.337), he still leads the team in RBIs with 59 and is tied for first on the team in home runs with Park Jun-soon (16 each). With 43 walks, he also leads the team in that category, proving once again that he remains an intimidating No. 4 hitter to opposing pitchers.

Manager Kim Won-hyung said about Yang Ui-ji, "His numbers weren't good early in the season, but I watched him closely believing that as time passed and games were played, his performance would inevitably improve." Under the manager's firm trust, it has been reaffirmed that "Doosan's No. 4 hitter is indeed Yang Ui-ji."

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*This content was translated by AI.