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| Sportschosun DB |
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"It's a very similar case to Kelly." And I adapted well because of Kelly."
LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop is smiling these days. This is because Tolhurst, who was brought as a substitute for Hernandez, literally burst into a `super jackpot.'
As soon as I came to Korea, I threw four games, and it's all four games. It's not just a win, it's overwhelming. He allowed just two runs in 7-6-5-7 innings, and he had only one earned run. His ERA was 0.36. Especially in the game against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 30th, he posted a maximum speed of 155 kilometers. Even though he threw more than 100 pitches until the 7th inning, his average speed did not drop. After taking office as LG manager in 2023, Ji Ji-ri also had no luck as a foreign pitcher, but "Finally, I also have a first starter."," he said with a big smile. Coach Yeom is happy because he can prepare for the offseason without worrying about the foreign first-choice next season, beyond the remaining September schedule and postseason.
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| LG Tolhurst coming down the mound after pitching in the first inning. |
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Of course, foreign players cannot wear LG uniforms until long. Therefore, coach Yeom suggests a clear motivation direction at all. I'm saying let's do well here and go to the Major League. He is only 26 years old with no major league experience. Coach Yeom said, `Arresting could go up further. And they said it's only been a year since they threw the splitter. If this splitter is more complete, I think it will be enough to go to the Major League. It has the ability to prevent a crisis with one out and third base. He keeps saying that if I do well, I'll clap and send it to him" he said.
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| The KBO League KT Wiz and LG Twins match held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 12th. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, who won, is delighted. Suwon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.08.12/ |
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At the same time, director Yeom said "A very similar case to Kelly." The Kelly that manager Yeom said here is Merrill Kelly, who was with the SK Wyverns (SSG Landers). Kelly signed a contract with SK at the age of 26 ahead of the 2015 season. Kelly was just like Tolhurst. He was a promising prospect with good pitching, but he received a love call from the KBO League when he was having a hard time because he had no major league experience. After spending four seasons with SK, Kelly wrote the myth of reverse major league export. He is still pursuing a successful career with the Texas Rangers. Manager Yeom said, `Kelly was originally a fastball, slider-to-pitch type. But he came to Korea, learned all the changeups and curves, and went to the Major League. Tolhurst could well follow that path as well."
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| A game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Stadium on the 9th. LG Tolhurst is talking with manager Yeom Kyung-yeop. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.08.09/ |
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Coach Yeom then brought up another Kelly story. Lee Kelly is Casey Kelly, who was wearing the LG Twins uniform and was a teammate until last year. Coach Yeom said, `It was Austin's role that Tolhurst adapted so quickly. Austin teaches the new players the culture of LG. In this team, this is something you must do, this is something you must not do, etc. But it was Kelly who taught Austin. In this way, foreign player culture should continue to be connected. Changing all three people at once is dangerous. So that's why I stayed with Kelly even though my performance was a little less. Kelly was absolutely necessary to adapt to other foreign players. I don't think it's a big deal, but it's a very important part."
Kelly is considered a representative 'long-lived foreigner' who played for LG from 2019 to last year and the best foreign player in LG's history. Last year, he was replaced during the season after failing to withstand a sharp drop in performance, and was a surprise call-up to the big leagues early last month as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
