Whether LG's batting lineup without the on-base king will become a reality or not, it will collide with teammates, shock and fear of left knee injuries
May 14, 2025
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Not long after LG Twins' main outfielder Hong Chang-ki was taken off the field in an ambulance, Kiwoom Heroes' Park Joo-hong was caught on a second baseman fly, and LG won 9-6. Four consecutive wins. The Hanwha Eagles lost to Doosan after 20 minutes, and LG returned to the top spot with Hanwha in six days.
LG players gathered on the mound and gave high-fives, but did not do the usual round shoulder-to-shoulder ceremony and one step at a time. Usually, one fielder and one pitcher come out and cancel the training player interview in front of the audience after asking the fans for their understanding. Austin Dean, the hero of the day, politely declined interviews with the game broadcasting team and interviews with reporters. Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop also refused to comment on the victory after the victory, but only made basic victory comments and entered the manager's office with a gloomy face.
The impact of Hong Chang-ki's injury on the entire LG squad was so great that it took away four consecutive wins and the joy of returning to the top spot.
LG's main outfielder and KBO League 'On base King'Hong Chang-ki was immediately taken to the hospital after injuring his left knee after colliding with a teammate during defense.
Hong Chang-ki started the home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium on the 13th and scored two hits and three RBIs in five at-bats, including a two-run shot by Masugul in the season, contributing greatly to his team's 9-6 victory, but he collided with first baseman Kim Min-soo while trying to catch pinch-hitter Park Joo-hong's foul ball with two outs in the top of the ninth inning just before the end of the game.
The pinch hitter Park Joo-hong's ball flew to the right foul area, and first baseman Kim Min-soo, second baseman Koo Bon-hyuk and right fielder Hong Chang-ki rushed to catch it.
Koo Bon-hyuk followed and gave up soon after, but Kim Min-soo kept following and Hong Chang-ki also chased the ball. But neither caught. The accident happened just as I was disappointed. Kim Min-soo, who failed to catch the ball, fell and Hong Chang-ki, who was running, collided. Hong Chang-ki's left leg and Kim Min-soo's body seemed to have collided, but immediately Hong Chang-ki fell and raised his hand to announce that he was injured.
While Hong Chang-ki complained of pain, all LG defenders headed for Hong Chang-ki, and when paramedics came running with stretchers and recognized that his condition was serious, an ambulance came to the ground. He was quickly taken on a stretcher and taken to a nearby fast hospital in an ambulance.
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Judging from the atmosphere of the team, the injury does not seem light. There seems to be a high possibility that they will not be able to see Hong Chang-gi for a long time.
LG has never imagined a batting lineup without Hong Chang-ki. He had never left the LG outfield since he took the lead in 2020.
From 2020 to this season, he hit 312 (797 hits in 2,551 at-bats) with 17 home runs, 295 RBIs, 495 runs and 459 walks. After Samsung's Koo Ja-wook (0.314) and Kiwoom's Kim Hye-sung (0.314), he ranked third in the batting average among the players who filled the regular at-bats during the period, ranking fourth on the most hits and first on the walk. He is also No. 1 with a on-base percentage of .430 during this period.
There is no denying that it has played a major role in LG's offense.
Hong Chang-ki, who was sluggish at the beginning of this season but rebounded in May, showed an even better batting performance by hitting his first home run this season.
He hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth inning with a 4-0 lead, receiving teammates' 'Indifference' cenemy, and in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on the first and second bases with a 1-point lead of 7-6, he hit a wedge RBI.
Closer Jang Hyun-sik was out due to injury on the day, so it could have been a burden for him to finish temporarily in a one-point lead, but Hong Chang-ki gave up an additional point and Moon Sung-joo also gave up an additional point, allowing Park Myung-geun to take the mound in the top of the ninth inning with a three-point lead of 9-6, and the three-point difference was still able to withstand the crisis even though he was on the verge of loading the bases with two outs.
It is clear that Hong Chang-ki's injury at the hospital's detailed examination is a big bad news for LG, which aims to regain the championship if long-term departure is inevitable.
Hong Chang-ki's on-base hit started the scoring, so we may have to decide on a new top hitter right away. Indeed, shock and fear are in front of LG's eyes.
LG just hopes that Hong Chang-ki's injury will be light enough to return quickly.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
