Lee Kang-cheol's Unconventional Approach: A Declaration of "Tough Baseball" in the Korea Series! "Park Young-hyun Needs to Pitch a Lot—It's His Innate Destiny"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

KT Wiz Manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) has a truly distinct "approach." On the Korea Series (KS) stage, the skipper abruptly declared his "tough baseball" strategy, hidden behind his characteristic cheerfulness. The core of this strategy is the early deployment and willingness to pitch on consecutive days for closer Park Young-hyun, who guards the back door.

Park Young-hyun took the mound in relief during a bases-loaded, one-out crisis in the top of the eighth inning against the Samsung Lions in Game 3 of the Korea Series at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 3rd, while his team led 8-6. He pitched 1⅔ scoreless innings.

Shortly after taking the mound that day, Park allowed a line drive to left field off the bat of Ryu Ji-hyuk, but he breathed a sigh of relief when third-base runner Koo Ja-yook failed to reach home due to the aftermath of a thigh injury. However, in the following at-bat by pinch hitter Kim Hyeon-jun, Park committed a wild pitch, allowing Samsung to close the gap to 8-7. He then recorded Kim Hyeon-jun with a fly out to left field, concluding a difficult eighth inning.

With KT's offense failing to score in two consecutive innings, the game remained a razor-thin 8-7 contest heading into the top of the ninth, where Park Young-hyun returned to the mound. His pitching in the ninth was near-perfect. He drew a swinging strikeout from first batter Lee Jae-hyun with a slider after a full count, and also struck out pinch hitter Jeon Byung-woo consecutively with sliders. The final batter, Park Seung-gyu, also swung and missed at a slider bait in a full count to record an out. It was a moment where his 1⅔ scoreless innings, including three strikeouts, preserved the team's one-run victory.

After the game, Manager Lee Kang-cheol conveyed his boundless trust in Park Young-hyun. Reflecting on the tense moments at the end of the game, the manager said, "In fact, I usually try to minimize the number of innings he pitches as much as possible, but things don't always go my way," adding, "It seems Park Young-hyun needs to pitch a lot. It feels like his innate destiny." This was read as the skipper's absolute trust that, even if he wanted to spare him, he ultimately has no choice but to rely on Park Young-hyun, the most certain card, in crucial moments.

Park Young-hyun, who met with reporters after the game, also said, "As everyone was worried, there are comments when I rest for a long time, but it seems things have been somewhat settled as of today." He continued, "I plan to pitch in better condition tomorrow, and since I will be resting for another day, I think I need to prepare well to deliver my pitching even in Daegu," showing no hesitation in expressing his confidence for the remainder of the series.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original