"I conveyed to the young players, 'Don't be intimidated, go to the plate and rather be the main character. Chances will come in the remaining innings. Wait for that opportunity and make it yours'."
Is this an intangible value that is not revealed sexually? Lotte Giants free agent Yoo Gang-nam (31), the master of the house, contributed to the victory by clearing the chaotic atmosphere of the game. Of course, it was a bonus that he played an active part in the game.
Lotte won 7-4 in the home game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against the LG Twins held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th. Lotte, which was in danger of losing its 50% win rate, came back from the brink three times in the past two weeks. Also, on the same day, he dropped NC Dinos, who was defeated, and ranked 4th alone.
On this day, Lotte started the game with a lineup of Kim Min-seok (center fielder) - Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder) - Jeon Jun-woo (1st baseman) - Ahn Chi-hong (2nd baseman) - Yu Kang-nam (designated hitter) - Noh Jin-hyeok (shortstop) - Han Dong-hee (3rd baseman) - Son Seong-bin (catcher) - Hwang Seong-bin (left fielder). Yoo Gang-nam, the main host, was the designated hitter, and Son Seong-bin, who was discharged from the Sangmu baseball team, wore a mask. 스포츠중계
What is noteworthy is that Kangnam Yoo started as a designated hitter, not on the bench, on catcher's rest day. Prior to the game on this day, Yoo Kang-nam had a batting average of 0.237, 4 homers, 26 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.649 this season. He falls far short of his career performance (0.265 batting average, 0.741 OPS) on the batting side. Perhaps because of this, it was the second time Kangnam Yoo started as a designated hitter this year after the Munhak SSG match on June 16th.
However, looking at the recent blow, it was understandable. As of the 8th, Kangnam Yoo had an excellent batting average of 0.300, 2 homers, and an OPS of 0.856 in the last 10 games. He was showing a good flow enough to stand out in the Lotte batting line, where his condition has recently subsided. Lotte manager Larry Sutton (53) also explained, "Yoo Kang-nam needed a break and felt good at hitting, so I made the lineup as a designated hitter."
The strategy was successful. Instead, Son Seong-bin, wearing a catcher's mask, tied up LG's 'ball baseball' with two decisive throws, while Yoo Gang-nam played an active part in the batting. At the end of the 3rd inning, Kangnam Yoo hit his 5th solo home run of the season over the left fence against LG starter Lee Jeong-yong. It was a home run for two days in a row following the game the previous day. On this day, Kangnam Yoo finished the game with 1 hit, 1 RBI and 1 run in 4 at-bats.
However, this was not the scene where Yoo Kang-nam shined the most. Lotte began to allow mid-game chase in a cluttered atmosphere. Lotte, who gave up a run in the top of the 4th inning when they were leading 6-1, started Dan Strayley off the mound in the 5th inning with a hit by Kim Hyun-soo and a walk by Austin Dean. Lotte replaced the pitcher with Lee In-bok, but gave up two runs due to Oh Ji-hwan's timely hit and shortstop error. At least Son Seong-bin stopped the flow by holding second base runner Oh Ji-hwan in check, but it was already chased by 2 points.
Here, in the attack, the clumsy Jurusa came out one after another. At the end of the 4th inning, against the changed pitcher Lee Woo-chan, Lotte survived with a double by Kim Min-seok, who passed the height of the left fielder after one out. Afterwards, a wild throw came out of Yoon Dong-hee's second at-bat, and Kim Min-seok headed to third base, but while he left the base a little too much, he was caught by catcher Park Dong-won's throw and was thrown out. The regret was added because Yoon Dong-hee immediately scored a right-handed hit. Here, Yoon Dong-hee was also caught in Lee Woo-chan's check and was judged to be tagged out. The pulse was cut off by successive jurusa.
At this time, Kangnam Yoo stepped in. He called the fielders who had finished defense in the top of the 5th inning and held a meeting. After the match, he explained the reason, "(Kim) Min-seok and (Yoon) Dong-hee had runners, and they conceded a run in the next inning." A chance comes during innings. Wait for that opportunity and make it yours.” It was not a reprimand, but rather a call to save spirit.
Eventually, the young players made up for their mistakes later in the game. At the end of the 6th inning, Yoon Dong-hee picked out a walk from 2nd, 2nd and 3rd base and created a chance to load the bases, and it became the stepping stone for the next hitter Jeon Jun-woo’s push-off. Kim Min-seok also added a hit in the 8th inning and completed a 3-hit game. Gangnam Yoo also praised their performance, saying, "It was a game where young players could grow."
Yoo Kang-nam, who signed a 4-year, 8 billion won free agent contract with Lotte ahead of this season, is expected to solve the team's chronic problem of catchers. Although his hitting is still not up to expectations, his skills in framing and communication are showing good shape. Coach Sutton expressed satisfaction, saying, "Yoo Kang-nam is a player with excellent leadership behind the home plate. The reason he was recruited from Lotte is because he leads pitchers well."
Sometimes, he also acts as a coach. Kang-Nam Yoo often held on to pitchers and gave demonstrations and gave advice. The pitchers said that the 'big reaction' was helpful as they passed the ball to Yoo Kang-nam after a good pitch.
In addition, recently, as the batting has been well done, the veteran catcher that Lotte hoped for is emerging. Lotte bought 'intangible value' together as FA.