I worked hard and it was funny.Short but intense presence, Awesome Kim that reminded me of a confident foreigner

Jun 21, 2025

I worked hard and it was funny.Short but intense presence, Awesome Kim that reminded me of a confident foreigner
Daejeon Hanwha Life Ball Park on the 20th. Hanwha's replacement soldier Luis Liberato posed in a uniform. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.20/



"That was so funny"

Luis Liberato (30), who wore the Hanwha Eagles uniform as a foreign player for a short period of six weeks, has a short major league experience.

In September 2022, when he was with the San Diego Padres, he came to the big league and spent about three weeks. Playing in a total of seven games, he entered five at-bats and had no hits.




When Liberato was in the major leagues. There was also a Korean player. Kim Ha-sung, who signed a four-year contract with San Diego ahead of the 2021 season. When Liberato was called up to the big leagues, Kim Ha-sung was gradually gaining ground in his second year in the major leagues.

Liberato, who was registered in the first division ahead of the match against the Kiwoom Heroes in Daejeon on the 20th, smiled at the story of Kim Ha-sung during his time in San Diego, saying, `He is a very hard-working player and has a good personality.'

Liberato was short-lived, but he also recalled memories with Kim Ha-sung. He said "I was going to learn Spanish, but it was really funny"




It was a relationship that passed by for a while, but Kim Ha-sung's affinity was excellent enough to leave a positive image.

I worked hard and it was funny.Short but intense presence, Awesome Kim that reminded me of a confident foreigner
Kim Ha-sung in San Diego. AP Yonhap News
When he moved to the Tampa Bay Rays after signing a four-year contract with San Diego, MLB.COM San Diego reporter A.J. Casabel wrote, "'Goodbye to Padres Fan's Favorite Player.'"I've never seen a San Diego player so welcomed by fans. He also said that his all-out style gained sympathy from his fans.

Not to mention grades. During the four years he played for San Diego, he recorded a batting average of 242, 47 homers, 200 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.706 in 540 games. In particular, in 2023, he won the Gold Glove in the Utility category with a batting average of 2617 home runs and an OPS of 0.749




Kim Ha-sung, who had shoulder surgery last year, suffered a hamstring injury during his return, but he recovered and is preparing for his debut in Tampa Bay.

I worked hard and it was funny.Short but intense presence, Awesome Kim that reminded me of a confident foreigner
Daejeon Hanwha Life Ball Park on the 20th. Hanwha's replacement soldier Luis Liberato is making his first greeting in front of the team. Ponce and Moon Hyun-bin are watching with a curious look. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.20/
Meanwhile, Liberato, who signed with Hanwha as a short-term substitute for Esteban Floral, was immediately listed in the starting lineup as a center fielder and second batter along with a call-up on the 20th, but his debut game was delayed as the game was canceled due to rain.

He is expected to be a boost to Hanwha's offense as he played in 29 games this season in the Mexican League and recorded a batting average of 373 (47 hits in 126 times at bat) with eight homers, 29 RBIs and three steals with an OPS of 1.138.

Liberato said, `I think I've done well because I've been training hard"There is an idea that you should enjoy playing baseball. I have a lot of energy, so I'm confident to revive the team's atmosphere. You can also defend the entire outfield"He foretold this performance in the future.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.