*This content was translated by AI.View Original
His rookie season in 2015 saw him win the Rookie of the Year award, but coincidentally, it was also the moment the Samsung Lions dynasty came to an end. It took a full 11 years before he could finally stand at the top for the first time.
Koo Ja-wook (33) posted a long handwritten letter on his social networking service (SNS) account on the 10th, accompanied by the brief caption, "I am always sorry and grateful to everyone."
Koo Ja-wook wrote, "Hello, I am Koo Ja-wook of the Samsung Lions. It has been a very long time since I last wrote a letter to you, my fans. I was worried that if not now, I might never get another chance to write, so I did not delay and picked up my pen." He added, "First of all, thank you truly. Since yesterday morning, I feel as though I am in a dream that will not end."
He made a dazzling debut in his 2015 rookie season with a .349 batting average, 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, 97 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases, winning the Rookie of the Year award. However, Samsung failed to achieve their fifth consecutive double crown that year. Koo Ja-wook continued to rise through the ranks, but Samsung began a downward slide.
In 2021, he participated in the postseason for the first time since his debut, but the team finished third. In 2024, they made a remarkable run to reach the Korea Series, but this time Koo Ja-wook himself suffered an injury during the playoffs and had to watch from the bench as the team fell short of the championship.
The Korea Series he entered this time was different. After advancing through five playoff games, Samsung secured their first championship in 12 years with a record of four wins and one loss. Koo Ja-wook was at the center of it all. In five games, he posted a .500 batting average (10 hits in 20 at-bats), one home run, six RBIs, five runs scored, and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.415, earning the Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
He won his first career batting title and achieved a double crown by also leading the league in on-base percentage, but he suffered a hamstring injury while running the bases late in the season. Although his leg was not comfortable, this time he could not simply watch from the sidelines as he had two years prior. He played as the designated hitter, leading the team to victory.
Having savored the joy of winning, Koo Ja-wook sent a special handwritten message to fans that day. "Over the past 10-plus years, I have been given three opportunities. The first was regrettable, and the second left me feeling deeply frustrated with myself," he wrote. "So this time, I played with the determination that even if I got injured again, I would absolutely run to first base on my own feet."
Although his injury-driven heroics could potentially affect the next season, Koo Ja-wook could not easily give up. "Honestly, when thinking about the next season, the injury was scary and frightening," he revealed. "But because I know the support of Samsung Lions fans and the desperation of my teammates, I was able to overcome that fear."
Finally, he left a somewhat meaningful message. Koo Ja-wook wrote, "I thought this might be the last opportunity I would have while wearing this blue uniform, so I wanted to give the Samsung Lions fans, who have cheered with more passion than anyone else, the gift of a championship."
Koo Ja-wook will now become a free agent (FA). Having signed a five-year, 12 billion won non-FA multi-year contract ahead of the 2022 season, Koo Ja-wook will re-enter the market at the end of this season. With Won Tae-in (26) also entering the FA market, Samsung faces the burdensome situation of needing to retain both franchise stars.
Therefore, it appears he thought this might be his last chance. However, it does not seem likely that Samsung will easily let go of a franchise star who led the team to a championship. With fans growing anxious over Koo Ja-wook's remarks, attention is focused on what moves Samsung will make during the offseason.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
