“Leadership? You should be good at baseball” 0.077 batting average An 18-year veteran’s empty heart
The second year of the 3-year FA contract. It is not easy for Jung Hoon (36).
The Lotte Giants announced on the 4th that they would expunge Jeong Hoon from the first team and register bullpen pitcher Jeong Seong-jong instead.
It was a predictable situation at any time. His batting record this season was only 1 hit in 13 at-bats (batting average of 7.07).
Lotte coach Larry Sutton said, “Jung Hoon hasn’t improved his batting condition since spring camp. . I hope to find the batting balance in the 2nd group,” he explained.
He added, “The bullpen was a bit short as we took one more fielder for a while. We needed a pitcher for today’s game and another weekend series against Samsung.” It contains the desire to give the bullpen, which was exhausted in the course of 9 consecutive victories, a little break.
Jung Hoon was still staying in Gwangju that day. He came out of the dugout and looked at the ground where it was raining and relieved his regret.
Jung Hoon is entering his 36-year-old season this year. Although he played for Heroes when he was a rookie, he is the de facto Lotte One Club Man recognized by the players and fans alike.
Double-digit home runs for two consecutive 안전놀이터 years with a batting average close to 30% in 2020-2021. His OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) exceeded 0.8, reaching his belated heyday. After the 2021 season, he signed a 3-year, 1.8 billion won free agent contract with Lotte.
However, last year, the first year of free agency, it was sluggish with a batting average of 2.45 and an OPS of 0.620. This season, both offense and defense are disappointing.
‘Cheer up’ gave encouragement. Sutton also said, “He is a veteran leader of our team. The moment when he will be needed again will come.”
However, Hoon Jung could hardly straighten his drooping shoulders, saying, “Leadership is only demonstrated when you play baseball well.” It was a back view that couldn’t control the upset heart.
