At the age of 30, I was forced to take a one-year hiatus, and I was sad to finish my life for the first time...There were a lot of ups and downs last year

Aug 17, 2025

Kim In-tae (center) of the Doosan Bears receiving water baptism. Photo courtesy = Doosan Bears

"There were a lot of twists and turns last year...."

Doosan Bears outfielder Kim In-tae was forced to take a year off last year. His involvement in the 'Oh Jae-won scandal' that caused a stir in the baseball community last year. Kim In-tae was one of eight active Doosan players who were prescribed sleeping pills on behalf of Oh Jae-won's pressure.

Kim In-tae was disciplined by KBO for 80 hours of community service at the same time as he blew the entire last season in exchange for failing to beat the coercion of Oh Jae-won, a senior member of Doosan. It happened in the 30th season when he was in his prime as a baseball player.

Kim In-tae, who endured a hiatus, clenched his teeth and prepared for this season. He has a batting average of 0.234 (30 hits in 128 at-bats), two homers, 18 RBIs and an OPS of 0.713 in 79 games, and is preparing to get back on track step by step. Although he stays in the dugout longer than on the ground now, he always leads the atmosphere brightly by shouting out "fighting" in the dugout.

Usually, hitters have a better record in many at-bat opportunities when starting, but Kim In-tae shines more when he is a pinch hitter this year. This year, he has a pinch-hit batting average of 0.357 (15 hits in 42 at-bats), two homers and 13 RBIs, meeting the bench's expectations at every turn.

Kim In-tae worked as a pinch hitter again against the KIA Tigers in Jamsil on the 16th. Doosan's bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, trailing 2-3. KIA was in a situation where closer Jung Hae-young was put down and replaced with Cho Sang-woo. Kim In-tae, who entered the batter's box as Kang Seung-ho's pinch hitter, watched the first ball and hit the second ball to lead to a two-run double on the right field line. It was his first walk-off hit in his career that led to a 4-3 victory and Doosan's three-game winning streak.

Doosan players brought bottled water and sprinkled it on Kim In-tae to congratulate their teammates who led the dramatic come-from-behind victory. Kim In-tae enjoyed the best moment of the season with a big smile for the first time in a long time.

Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears, who is happy to hit his first walk-off hit in his life. Photo courtesy = Doosan Bears

Dusan Bears players congratulating Kim In-tae. Photo courtesy = Doosan Bears

Kim In-tae said "It was crazy. I trusted (Kim) Taek-yeon, but I didn't know if I would get a home run. As soon as it was tied with a home run (in the top of the ninth inning), I think I thought I could go out again. I thought of a fast ball first because good pitchers came out of the bullpen as I went back, but I think it was effective that I was aiming for a fast ball with a little more confidence because the first pitch became a ball"I looked back on the first finishing situation.

Even while staying on the bench, I watch the opponent's bullpen with the idea that I can take the batter's box at any time. I tend to prepare so as not to miss the opportunity of one at-bat, imagining who will warm up and who will come out.

Kim In-tae also prepares to face pitchers in the mound, but he also checks who is in the bullpen. Just as I was about to go to the batter's box, I was visiting the mound for the second time, so I was thinking about the pitcher who would come later because I had to change (the pitcher) unconditionally. It's amazing that I have a good record as a substitute. They say they prepare the same way, but I think it's better to have the results later, so I think it's really good to be helpful to the team like this."

Regarding the two-day victory over KIA closer Jung Hae-young and winning the game, "When I watch our game these days, I didn't lose easily." There were many games that followed one point and one point until the end. First of all, we have to win a lot, but I think it's a good team to lose easily. I've seen it that way when I was young, and I feel good that the team color is coming out little by little."

Kim In-tae said "Last year, there were many twists and turns, but there was also a gap in that situation, so I think I tried to make a lot of effort without knowing it. I'm glad that it seems to be coming out little by little, and I wish it had come out from the beginning, but I still have regrets about it. "I hope there will be no aftermath of the hiatus now.