'100 hits in 5 years → enters top 9 in batting average': Revival of retired Professor Seo! "I only thought about being a backup..." Manager also praises

Este contenido ha sido traducido por IA.

"Professor Seo" Seo Geon-chang (37) once again wrote a massive turnaround on the field. Wielding a fierce bat this season, he reached triple-digit hits for the first time in five years since the 2021 season and climbed to ninth place in the league batting average category with a .323 average, making a complete revival as the core of his team's lineup.

In fact, Seo Geon-chang's baseball career has always been a continuous series of twists and turns. He joined LG as a developmental player in 2008 but was released after playing just one game; however, he wrote a legend upon joining Nexen (now Kiwoom). In particular, during the 128-game schedule of 2014, he broke through 200 hits for the first time in Liga KBO history and set a major record with 201 hits in a single season, capturing the Regular Season MVP.

But the path thereafter was not smooth. He returned to his original team LG via trade in 2021 but suffered the pain of release after a slump. In 2024, he moved to KIA and contributed to the team's championship win, yet during the 2025 season, he remained at a .136 batting average in just 10 games with the first team, receiving another release notice and standing at the crossroads of retirement. The team that reached out to the veteran pushed to the brink was his original club, Kiwoom, with whom he shared glory days.

At the start of the season, his position within the team was close to that of a backup player. Due to a late contract, he also joined spring training late. However, Seo Geon-chang regarded this season as his "last uniform" and dug in his heels. Although he showed sharp batting skills from the exhibition games, even amidst the sudden setback of a finger fracture, he quickly got into shape through rigorous self-management and returned on May 9 against KT Wiz.

Seo Geon-chang, who played the opening game somewhat late, has now appeared in 83 games, entering the official at-bat threshold with a .323 batting average (105 hits in 325 at-bats) and joining the race for the highest batting average. His batting average over the last 10 games is an impressive .400, and his monthly batting average in August also reached .391 across 18 games. He is essentially showcasing a never-cooling hot bat.

The manager also offered unstinting praise for his unexpected outstanding performance. On the 28th, at Jamsil Stadium, Manager Seol Jong-jin expressed surprise upon meeting Seo Geon-chang's achievement of reaching 100 hits, saying, "I myself did not expect to reach the 100-hit mark," and shook his head in amazement.

Manager Seol added, "In fact, I joined camp late and was thinking he would be more of a backup than a starter. But he prepared really well." He continued, "He played a great role during the exhibition games, and although his pace could have dropped due to injury, he got into shape well and has performed excellently so far. He is displaying his talent well and serving as a great example for younger players. Along with words of gratitude, I just want to offer praise."

Seo Geon-chang, who overcame repeated releases and the crisis of retirement with unyielding determination, now wields his bat again while wearing the burgundy uniform that marked the beginning of his glory days, heating up the field.

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Este contenido ha sido traducido por IA.