Director, I'm not going to get on the radar… He also had 18 home runs and a lucky charm. Lotte's changed atmosphere

Mar 05, 2025

Son Ho-young for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok

The Lotte Giants squad returned home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the afternoon of the 5th. Lotte Son Ho-young leaving the arrival hall. Incheon International Airport = Song Jeong-heon, reporter for @sportschosun.com/2025.03.05/

"The camp at Lotte, the expectations for me, and the fact that I keep going to the game...Everything is my first experience."

It was reborn as a `blessing' in Busan. He has grown into one of the leading hitters in the league. He has splendidly blossomed his talent, which had repeatedly been frustrated by injuries.

Lotte Giants Son Ho-young is still vague about his interest in him. When I met him at Incheon International Airport on the 5th, he said, `Camp is always a nervous stage. It's the same for any team."

However, as he is a player who has gone through twists and turns, he is sensitive to detecting the atmosphere. Son Ho-young "I tried hard not to get caught on the director's radar. So I didn't get caught," he said, expressing the fierce atmosphere of Lotte camp. This is the camp MVP that head coach Kim Tae-hyung picked this year.

In a game against Taiwan's WBC (World Baseball Classic) national team, he saw his first home run of the year 'taste', but he struggled in defense, making two mistakes in one game.

손호영. Photo courtesy = Lotte Giants

"I've done a lot of defense practice. I really paid a lot of attention. There were many mistakes, but I want to think positively that I did all the mistakes I will make this year before the season."

Son Ho-young received injury prevention training in Tokyo, Japan during the off-season. Lotte explained that `We will receive customized programs with professional trainers at centers specializing in muscle and mobility training, rehabilitation, and injury prevention, and also receive training on systematic team management and diet.'

In response, Son Ho-young responded "I haven't been hurt yet this year. It certainly seems to be working. I'm not sick at all yetWouldn't it be everyone's goal to play all 144 games in the regular season. I don't want to be specific, but I'd like to hold out for this year's goal day by day and say, `A year by year.'," he smiled.

손호영. Photo courtesy = Lotte Giants

"There is no guarantee of electricity. You only get a chance before others. I think the team as a whole is well prepared. Last year, he said he was alive every day, but this year, he got relaxed. I am sincerely looking forward to entering the fall baseball stage."

Lotte played a lot of Japanese teams in this camp, including its sister club Chiba Lotte Marines. Son Ho-young said "I thought the control was really good when the ball was this fast. I was lucky to face a ball like this before the season. The joint training was also fun. It was a very meaningful day"I thanked the front desk of the club and the parent company.

"My goal this year is to play more games than last year. Since I played 100 games last year, I will aim to play 120 games this year. It's better to play 144 games before the game. The fence is low, so if there's a ball that goes over slightly, I'll play appreciated."