Hanwha Eagles rookie infielder Hwang Young-mook (25), who was given the start on short notice about two hours before the start of the game, had his best day of the season, recording the most hits and RBIs in a single game.
Hwang Young-mook started at first base and went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored in Hanwha’s 12-2 victory over KT Wiz in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon on Friday.
Hanwha leapfrogged KT (26-1-1) to seventh place with 32 points, led by Hwang Young-mook’s performance.
Hwang was originally a substitute in the match. However, it was decided that foreign batsman Jonatan Peraza, who collided with the fence while fielding against the Samsung Lions on March 31, would not return due to lingering pain.
As a result, manager Kim Kyung-moon chose Hwang Young-mook to bat first. This is the first time Hwang Young-mook has been placed in the top of the batting order. Kim called Young-mook Hwang and encouraged him, saying, “You can do it. Do well,” and encouraged him.
Hwang replied, “This opportunity will not come again, so I must seize it. I was determined to show him everything I have,” Hwang recalled before the match.
The unorthodox mercenary move worked perfectly. Hwang Young-mook hit a two-run double with one out in the top of the second inning to tie the game at 1-1. Then, in the top of the fourth inning, he led off with a triple to drive in another run. His two hits in the top of the eighth inning, when the team scored seven runs, were key to the big inning.
“I don’t have my spot yet. So I try to be as good as I can every time I go out there, and it turned out to be a good result,” said Hwang.
“Just because I want to be good doesn’t mean I can be good. I tried to play hard, focus on my defense and make sure I didn’t make any mistakes, and I tried to 카지노 showcase my strengths one by one,” he added.
When he joined the club, Hwang said he wanted to be a player with a cheerleader. At the game, Hwang’s cheer rang out loudly.
“It’s not exactly a goal, but a plan. A player with a cheer is a player who is loved by fans and a mainstay of the first team. It feels good to hear my own cheer. It also motivates me to do better to repay the fans’ support.”
Hanwha fans call Hwang Young-mook “Mookie Betts”. It’s a combination of Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers), one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball (MLB), and Hwang Young-mook’s name.
“Of course, I like the nickname. “Betsu is my role model because she is a small player like me, but she hits well. I watch a lot of Betsu’s matches. I’m determined to live up to the ‘Mookie Betts’ nickname.”
Hwang Young-mook, who can play all positions in the infield, plans to improve his position.
“Every moment is an opportunity for me. I am eagerly working hard. My first plan is to continue to produce good results and establish myself,“ he said, adding, ‘When the manager thinks, ’I wish I had a player like this,’ I will be the one who comes to mind.”