I don't want to lose when I meet KIA…Blue blood is infested with the first contributor to the mother's cry
May 25, 2025
|
|
Ryu Ji-hyuk (31) was traded from the KIA Tigers to the Samsung Lions during the 2023 season. Ryu Ji-hyuk was a player who had already experienced one trade from the Doosan Bears to KIA during the 2020 season. When I wore the Samsung uniform, it was my second trade, so I was a little calm, but I was even more determined to try again on another team looking for me.
During the transfer to Samsung, Ryu Ji-hyuk brought up the story of his first son, Lee Hyun. When my son was in kindergarten in Gwangju, he had great pride in "My father was an KIA player," but when he said he was leaving KIA, he cried. Ryu Ji-hyuk said, "Dad, you're a Samsung player now. "My dad is a Samsung player, so if you say that, all my friends will like it," he said, so he soothed his son.
Ryu Ji-hyuk has become a third-year Samsung player infested with blue blood. He has established himself as an irreplaceable infield key player and signed a four-year, 2.6 billion won contract with Samsung for his first FA qualification prior to this season. This year, he is heading for the career high season with a batting average of 0.309 (47 hits in 152 at-bats), 18 RBIs and an OPS of 0.740 in 50 games. Dad keeps his promise with his son, who was going to become a proud Samsung player.
Ryu Ji-hyuk started as the seventh batter and second baseman against the Daegu KIA Tigers on the 24th and led the team to an 8-4 victory with two hits and three RBIs in four at-bats. Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a timely double with a three-run sweep in the bottom of the fourth inning when Samsung was being dragged 0-3.
Samsung lost to KIA 6-7 the previous day, so it was even more eager to avenge it. Likewise, a close game was held on this day, and KIA was destroyed by scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with a score of 4-4. It was a victory made by all Samsung players, including Ryu Ji-hyuk.
Ryu Ji-hyuk said "It wasn't an easy game, but I'm happy to win. (The players) all talked about it. Everyone knows it's hard, but I think we played a good game because we talked about focusing at least on the ballpark. In the eighth inning, the leadoff hitter survived, so everyone cheered a lot and seemed to have a very high concentration. "I looked back on the moment when I won the game.
|
|
Ryu Ji-hyuk scored 1 point when Diaz was replaced by a pinch runner. "I think the players were trying to team-bat accordingly and concentrating because the pinch runner was a message that they would somehow pick one point."
Coach Park said "It was a difficult game to give the first run and follow until the seventh inning, but Ryu Ji-hyuk's three RBIs in the fourth inning and Kim Sung-yoon's two-run wedge in the eighth inning were able to win." I think it's because the players worked hard without giving up to the end" he complimented.
For Ryu Ji-hyuk, KIA is both a family and a team that I really want to cross. Samsung finished second with only one win and four losses in the Korean Series against KIA last year. Ryu Ji-hyuk's regret at that time still remains regretful.
Ryu Ji-hyuk said, "(Last year's Korean Series) is always in my mind. I don't want to lose when I meet KIA. So I tried to focus more, and when I just thought of the Korean Series, I felt a lot of resentment (at the time). Still, I don't make a tee at the ballpark, but I think the ceremony is coming out bigger on purpose."
Samsung is leading KIA with 4 wins and 2 losses this year. In the remaining 10 games with KIA, Ryu Ji-hyuk will fire up his fighting spirit so that Samsung can dominate.
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
