“Now is the time to show young players.”
Doosan Bears veteran third baseman Heo Kyung-min (33) said this for the first time wearing the captain’s armband in January. It meant that there was a limit to the leap to the upper ranks as a baseball that continued to rely on existing key players such as Yang Eui-ji (36), Kim Jae-hwan (35), Yang Seok-hwan (32), Su-bin Jeong (33), and Kim Jae-ho (38).
It was believed that only when young players, especially fielders, could bring a breath of fresh air to the team, that the dynasty could begin to rebuild. When Doosan stood at the starting line of history in 2015, the first in the KBO to advance to the Korean Series for 7 consecutive years, Kim Jae-hwan, Heo Gyeong-min, Su-bin Su-bin, Park Geon-woo (33, now NC) and Choi Joo-hwan (35, now SSG), who were in their 20s, exploded after being freed from the sadness of their later years of backup. I mean. 안전놀이터
Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop thinks the same way. He has steadily encouraged and watched the growth of young beasts from the finish camp in October of last year to the spring camp this year and the current regular season. Even when he gave special hits mainly to backup players after the game, he delayed leaving work to give batting instruction. It can be seen as a leader’s passion, but it can also be seen as an action with a desire for the players to grow faster.
Contrary to the wishes of coach Lee and his seniors, young beasts have yet to create a sensation on the ground. Players who have been left out due to injuries or who are given opportunities are all batting average in the 10% range.