TV
Jeong Seong-hoon, who pushed out Lee Dae-ho, hits a grand slam against KT
In the 37th episode of JTBC's entertainment program 'Strongest Baseball', which aired on the 24th, the Strongest Monsters recorded their first win of the season by winning 6-2 in the opening game against KT Wiz.
The opening game of the 2023 season was a tightly contested game with no compromises, with over 16,000 spectators watching. The starter for the strongest monsters was Dae-eun Lee. He took the mound in place of Oh Joo-won, who had hemorrhoid surgery. Dae-eun Lee pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings with help from the infield.
In attack, coach Kim Seong-geun's strategic baseball skills shone. In the bottom of the third inning, Choi Soo-hyun reached base due to a walk, and manager Kim Seong-geun gave full-scale operational instructions. The strongest Monsters showed perfect operational ability and scored the first run by successfully squeezing with 1 out and 1st and 3rd bases on. KT Wiz, who completely pierced the loophole, was speechless from shock.
The strongest Monsters used their momentum to create a situation where the bases were loaded with runners out and 1 out, and the team's new 4th hitter, Jeong Seong-hoon, came to the plate. Jeong Seong-hoon, who had been sweating harder than anyone else all winter, sealed the game that day with a miraculous grand slam that wiped away all his hardships.
This was the team's first grand slam, this season's first grand slam, and his first personal hit. Jeong Seong-hoon said, “I wanted to show that it is possible to work hard and work hard, and by showing the results, I think I can confidently say that people in their 40s are brave.”
KT Wiz, who was full of confidence, was in danger of losing due to a cold game. They attacked aggressively, but were unable to score because they were blocked by the strongest Monsters' stable mound and the infield's sensible defense. In the end, Acting Manager Seo Yong-bin made a strong move by putting Baek Hyun-soo, a former member of the 2022 WBSC U-23 national team and the team's promising right-handed pitcher, on the mound.
Accordingly, the strongest Monsters also fought back by pitching the team's first amateur pitcher, Hyunsoo Jeong, and Jaeyoung Shin, who was the Rookie of the Year in the 2016 season. The Strongest Monsters' first amateur pitcher, Hyunsoo Jeong, dominated KT Wiz's batting lineup by showing off his main weapon, a clean curve. Then, in the top of the 7th inning, Shin Jae-young, the third pitcher to take the mound, continued to pitch well without allowing a single batter to reach base.
The strongest Monsters gave up only 2 points to KT Wiz until the 9th inning and won the opening game 6-2, raising expectations for this season even more. Coach Kim Seong-geun expressed his thoughts, saying, "I think it was a match that showed that coming together as one creates great strength. I think we were able to play such a clean game with no mistakes in any field."
The MVP of the 2023 season opening game went to Jeong Seong-hoon, the protagonist of the club's first grand slam home run. Jeong Seong-hoon, who received his first MVP a year after joining the Strongest Monsters, said, "I feel good that I contributed even a little to achieving a good victory in the first game. After playing last year's season, I felt that I was lacking in many things physically, so I prepared all winter. “I think it was a good day for me because what I did came out with good results today. I will do my best to show the same side as today until the end.”
General manager Jang Si-won also awarded MVP to winning pitcher Dae-eun Lee. Lee Dae-eun left a sentiment full of affection for his wife, Trudy, who cheered him on throughout the game, saying, "A few days ago, they made sure I was going to be the starter, so they provided me with food and I worked really hard. I am so grateful, I love you, and I am grateful."
Also, on the broadcast, Park Chan-hee, who succeeded in finding a job at a professional team for the 7th time, made a surprise appearance and delivered his final greetings. Coach Kim Seong-geun cheered for Park Chan-hee, who will transfer to the Dinos and become a professional player, by gifting him a baseball with a personal message on it for his future. Park Chan-hee, who was in tears due to coach Kim Seong-geun's sincerity, said, "I think it was a truly precious and dream-like time for me while playing 'Best Baseball' that cannot be valued by anything. Coach Kim Seong-geun, general manager Jang Si-won, and the Strongest Monsters seniors are all so great. “Thank you, and I will not stay here but become a player who proves my skills.”
Even before the afterglow of victory in the opening game was over, the opponent for the strongest Monsters' next game was revealed. The identity of the next team is the SSG Landers 2nd team, where coach Kim Seong-geun led the dynasty during his professional days. Landers has a record of winning the 2022 Korean Series.
Meanwhile, the 37th episode of 'Best Baseball' recorded its highest viewership rating of 3.9% (provided by Nielsen Korea, based on paid households in the metropolitan area), ranking first among programs broadcast at the same time slot.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr
