What to do about Diaz's defense? The manager even brought up his "shortstop days" — "He bowed at a 90-degree angle after the game"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Why else would the manager have brought up his own playing days?

Park Jin-man (50), manager of the Samsung Lions, wore a bitter expression when asked about first baseman Diaz (30, Samsung) after the team's Game 2 of the 2026 KBO League Korea Series against the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th.

On that day, Diaz contributed significantly to the team's 3-2 victory with four hits, two RBIs, and the winning run in the offense. However, his defense was a problem. With Samsung leading 2-1 thanks to his own RBI hit, he dropped a ground ball from the opposing Hillyard while attempting to throw to second base on a bases-loaded situation with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings.

In the meantime, all runners remained alive, putting Samsung in a bases-loaded crisis. Subsequently, pitcher Won Tae-in issued a bases-loaded walk to Kim Hyun-soo, ultimately allowing the score to be tied at 2-2.

Manager Park said, "I sighed too many times today from the bench where the camera wasn't pointing," adding, "Diaz bowed at a 90-degree angle after the game ended. He knows he made an error in a crucial moment." He continued, "His defense was good in previous innings. It's frustrating that while he handles difficult hits well, he keeps making errors on easy ones, which makes it hard for our pitchers," expressing his disappointment.

It wasn't just this game. In the earlier playoffs (PO) against the KIA Tigers, Diaz committed a total of three errors, setting an unfortunate record by tying the all-time individual playoff career-high for errors with five, including one in 2024 and one in 2025. In response, Manager Park distributed rice cakes to the team before Game 5 of the PO on the 1st, which bore the message: "Players, even if the hit comes like a mess, catch it perfectly."

Manager Park, who played as a "famous shortstop" during his playing career, urged Diaz to strive harder while reflecting on his own experience. He said, "When I was a shortstop earlier in my career, I thought that handling hits safely rather than making fine plays was much more helpful to the pitcher," adding, "In that regard, I would like Diaz to play defense based more on fundamentals, and it seems we will need to talk to the defensive coach about this."

Diaz also expressed remorse over his errors. In an official interview after the game, he said, "I made an error in a crucial moment and brought the team to the brink of defeat. I felt a great sense of guilt," adding, "As soon as the game ended, I went to Manager Park Jin-man and bowed my head at a 90 degrees to apologize. The bullpen pitchers held on until the end, allowing us to win. I am truly glad we won," expressing gratitude to his teammates.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original