Choi Ji-man’s lost opportunity, Kang Baek-ho’s opportunity

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is one of the world’s most popular baseball tournaments. As it is the only tournament in which a large number of active major leaguers participate, the playing environment is more compliant than other tournaments. Above all, you can compete with the best players in the world. It is also the best opportunity to make your name known on the world stage and raise your value.

Choi Ji-man (32, Pittsburgh) blew away the first chance he had. At the time of the 4th tournament held in 2017, he had just started to rise as a major leaguer, and his position was narrow, and he had a certain presence as a big leaguer in six years. this has failed

It seems that the opportunity has actually passed to Kang Baek-ho (24, KT). Outfielder Choi Ji-hoon (SSG) was selected as a replacement for Choi Ji-man, but the reflective effect created by Choi Ji-man’s vacancy is heading to Kang Baek-ho.

Kang Baek-ho was included in the previous final entry as a first baseman along with Choi Ji-man and Park Byung-ho (KT). The idea of ​​the national team was that if Choi Ji-man started as the first baseman, Park Byeong-ho would play as the designated hitter or as a pinch hitter after a break. When Choi Ji-man and Park Byeong-ho become the center, Kang Baek-ho becomes a pinch hitter. However, with Choi Ji-man missing, Park Byung-ho had to start as the first baseman. Naturally, the possibility of Kang Baek-ho becoming the designated hitter has greatly increased. National team coach Lee Kang-cheol also said, “If this happens, Kang Baek-ho may have to go out as a designated hitter.”

For Kang Baek-ho, this WBC itself is a great opportunity. It has a different meaning from other players, and it is a decisive opportunity to restore self-esteem.

Kang Baek-ho, who only played half of the season due to two major injuries overlapping last season, went through a major ordeal for the first time since his debut. My annual salary was cut in half, so I had to start overseas spring camp a few days late by myself. The atmosphere of the WBC right before the opening of the KBO League is a very important opportunity to motivate Kang Baek-ho to start this season.

Kang Baek-ho is a member of the Tokyo Olympic team held in 2021. At the time, he was also considered as the hitter to be most wary of, along with Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom), from the championship candidate Japan. Kang Baek-ho, who went to the Olympics after hitting explosively in the KBO League, was not that bad with 7 hits in 26 at-bats. However카지노사이트, as the national team failed to win medals, the entire team was unable to raise their heads. Kang Baek-ho, his youngest child, had to go through more difficulties due to rumors other than his performance. Through this tournament, Kang Baek-ho is determined to show a more mature image.

The WBC is a tournament watched by the world. In the Korean national team, attention is expected to be focused on Lee Jung-hoo, a ‘preliminary major leaguer’, but overseas leagues are also aware that Kang Baek-ho is also the next runner among batters. The more plate appearances he gets, the better his chances are.

What Kang Baek-ho needs to show is his unique hitting and responsible attitude. Kang Baek-ho also said, “I am really grateful to be selected for the national team and I think that the fans will be able to accept (for being selected) only when I show a lot of good things. He promised to show a good image with a sense of responsibility.”