It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML

Jun 02, 2025

It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
LA 다저스 김혜성. AFP Yonhap News



It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. ImagesYonhap News
"But Roberts is not blind."

LA Dodgers utility Kim Hye-sung stepped down to the bench the day after writing the first major league history. Kim Hye-sung started as the ninth batter and shortstop in a home game against the New York Yankees on the 1st (Korea time) and led the team to an 18-2 victory with four hits, one walk, two RBIs and three runs from four times at bat. In defense, he played an incredible role in offense and defense by recording a double play as a shortstop and even playing outfield Bodhisattva as a center fielder. In the modern baseball era (since 1900), the U.S. media all announced that Kim Hye-sung is the first player to record four or more hits, one home run, one double play, and one outfield defensive bodhisattva in a game.

However, Kim Hye-sung had to swallow his disappointment with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' terrible platoon system. Roberts predicted immediately after the game on the 1st that Kim Hye-sung will not start against the Yankees on the 2nd. The Yankees starter was left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.




When asked in an interview with a U.S. local reporter if he could see Kim Hye-sung again in June, Roberts replied, "Yes, but he will not participate tomorrow (2nd). Kim Hye-sung will probably return on the 3rd," he said.

Kim Hye-sung made his dream of becoming a major leaguer by signing a contract with the Dodgers for up to 22 million dollars (about 30.3 billion won) for 3+2 years. Although the ransom is incomparably shabby compared to the Dodgers' main players, the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux, the team's top prospect, as soon as Kim Hye-sung was recruited, indicating that they plan to appoint Kim Hye-sung. Kim Hye-sung faced the season in the minor league Triple-A team due to sluggish performance during the exhibition game, but when Tommy Edman's injury left him vacant early last month, he immediately called up Kim Hye-sung and showed expectations.

As soon as Kim Hye-sung stepped on the major league stage, she flew like she was in her own world. He succeeded in surviving the big league for nearly a month with the Dodgers, which boasts a powerful depth with a batting average of 0.422 (19 hits in 45 at-bats), two homers, seven RBIs and an OPS of 1.058 in 21 games. The U.S. media now believes that Kim Hye-sung has become a constant in the Dodgers' power, and Roberts also always praises Kim Hye-sung's performance.




It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
LA 다저스 김혜성. AP Yonhap News
It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
LA Dodgers Kim Hye-sung (ranking 6th) doing a ceremony. AP Yonhap News
Roberts said, `Kim Hye-sung has such a young passion and joy. Kim Hye-sung is happy just to go on the ground, happy to help the team, and our players are receiving Kim Hye-sung's energy intactLooking back on Kim Hye-sung's past month, he praised her.

However, the insistence on applying the platoon system did not break. The opponent Kim Hye-sung hit a home run on the 1st was left-hander Brent Hedrick. Kim Hye-sung was the only left-hander he faced this season. If Kim Hye-sung had not been performing crazy the previous day, he might have used a right-handed substitute.

The U.S. media 'Spotting News'Kim Hye-sung is in a difficult situation, and so is the Dodgers. The Dodgers are trying to evenly use several players (Kim Hye-sung, Edman, and Andy Paz) who can play in center field and other positions. Left-handed hitter Kim Hye-sung explained, 'We have to reduce Michael Confoto's playing time and take the batter's box.




Then 'But Roberts is not blind, so you can see that Kim Hye-sung has passed all the tests perfectly so far. After Kim Hye-sung lost a home run to a left-handed pitcher the previous day, it has become hard to deny that it is difficult to use Kim purely as a platoon.'"

In the end, Kim Hye-sung has no choice but to show more to the extent that Roberts no longer insists on the platoon system.

Sporting News reported 'This decision can be a little disappointing the day after Kim Hye-sung showed a monster-like performance. However, Kim Hye-sung has been steadily on the rise, and if she shows a little more of such a big performance in the future, she will be able to secure more regular playing time.

It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
Los Angeles Dodgers Kim Hye-sung (center) celebrating his victory with his teammates.ImagesYonhap News
It's not blind, it's even more regrettable because it's right after the first history of ML
LA 다저스 김혜성. ImagesYonhap News




This article was translated by Naver AI translator.