There's a main catcher left. Why? The reason why the outfielder wore a mask for the first time in 11 years is
Jun 14, 2025
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The game between the NC Dinos and the KIA Tigers at Changwon NC Park on the 14th. There was an unexpected shift in defensive position ahead of the top of the ninth inning. Left fielder Kwon Hee-dong changed his defensive position to 'Captor'.
It's a surprising event. Even at the top of the ninth inning, NC's entry still had main catcher Kim Hyung-joon as a non-starter. Nevertheless, Kwon Hee-dong sat at home wearing a mask and began to receive the ball from pitcher Kim Si-hoon.
Manager Lee Ho-joon chose Kim Jung-ho, not Kim Hyung-joon, as the starting catcher on the day. Kim Jung-ho's start was decided for Shin Young-woo, who was the starting pitcher on the day. Director Lee said "The two worked together in Futures and knew each other well, so today, Jung-ho will start, not Hyung-jun."
Kim Jung-ho, who played as a starting catcher, finished the game as it was in the bottom of the eighth inning with pinch hitter Oh Young-soo at the batter's box with two outs and a second base.
And the defense in the top of the ninth inning. It was unexpected that Kwon Hee-dong, not Kim Hyung-joon, stepped up as a catcher. This is not the first time Kwon Hee-dong has worn a catcher mask in a first-team game. About 11 years ago, on June 27, 2014, he played as a catcher in the bottom of the eighth inning in the second half of the game against the Lotte Giants in Busan, and this was his first catcher appearance in 4005 days.
Kwon Hee-dong is a catcher who played as a catcher until his second grade when he was a high school student. Since coming to the professional league, he has mainly played outfield, but he is a ready talent who can wear a catcher mask in such a special situation.
Kwon Hee-dong, wearing a mask for the first time in 11 years, experienced a run when Kim Si-hoon allowed a solo home run to Kim Kyu-sung, but he finished the top of the ninth inning safely without much difficulty in the catch and lead.
The real reason why Kwon Hee-dong had no choice but to go out as a catcher was because of Kim Hyung-joon's physical condition. Kim Hyung-joon, who finished training before the game, complained of pain in his back, and Kwon Hee-dong stepped up as a surprise card to replace Kim Hyung-joon in the replacement situation.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
