It's An Chi-hong of Kiwoom, not Hanwha anymore. I don't even want to think about it this year, so I'll make up my mind
Nov 24, 2025
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Now it's An Chi-hong of Kiwoom Heroes, not Hanwha Eagles. Ahn Chi-hong is seeking a revival in his fourth professional life.
Ahn Chi-hong greeted coach Seol Jong-jin, coaching staff, and new teammates at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 24th.
An Chi-hong confirmed his transfer to Kiwoom after receiving the first overall pick in the second KBO draft held on the 19th. Kiwoom paid KRW 400 million in transfer money to Hanwha to recruit a veteran hitter.
It's a transfer after many twists and turns. Ahn Chi-hong, who made his splendid debut in 2009 as the No. 1 overall pick in the second round of the rookie draft, was nominated by the KIA Tigers. He immediately secured the main second base position. It has become the epitome of the Hota Jun people who can steal 20 home runs and 20 steals. I saw shortstop in high school, so there was no problem with second base defense.
spend one's prime in KIA like that He earned his first FA qualification and decided to go to Lotte Giants in a surprise move on the condition of a total of 5.6 billion won for 2+2 years before the 2020 match. After hitting 21 home runs in 2017 and 23 home runs in 2018, KIA did not greed for An Chi-hong as the number of home runs plunged to five in 2109 and the record of stolen bases also fell.
Ahn Chi-hong, who has rebounded by playing for Lotte for four years and hitting a .300 batting average and a double-digit home run, signed a second FA contract with Hanwha Eagles on a whopping condition of 7.2 billion won for 4+2 years ahead of the 2024 season.
In the first season of last year, he hit a batting average of .300 with 13 home runs and played his part. But this year has been a nightmare. He has a batting average of 172, two homers and 18 RBIs in 66 games. It was a disastrous performance that was hard to believe for An Chi-hong's record. Head coach Kim Kyung-moon has declared that he will leave An Chi-hong with second base since the end of last year, and An Chi-hong also played strong training in the closing camp and spring camp, but neither the ball nor the ball was satisfactory. In the meantime, juniors came up, and An Chi-hong's position disappeared. In the end, he was not even included on the secondary draft protection list. That's how I got a fresh start in Kiwoom.
Next is Ahn Chi-hong, who met Ahn for the first time as a Kiwoom player.
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▶When I was in Hanwha, general manager Son Hyuk told me that he was removed from the protected list. You told me that it would be difficult because of the salary cap, so I only knew that. When I heard the news of the nomination, I thought it was a new opportunity, so let's desperately not miss the opportunity.
-What did coach Seol Jong-jin say.
▶He thought it was the last team, and he told me to work hard and regain my original form.
-I came to my hometown Seoul-based team.
▶I never thought about whether it would be better to live in Seoul.It's not easy to move...
-I think this year must have been the hardest year of your career.
▶It was hard for James. In a way, it was a year when I didn't even want to think about it. It was a year when everything didn't work out. I've been training a lot and I've had my own way, but I couldn't do anything. It's been an unanswered season all year.In the meantime, I was thinking of preparing well, but I think it will be an opportunity to rebound again because I will move the team. Of course, I would have worked hard even if I was at Hanwha, but Kiwoom is a team that needed me and called me, so I feel like I should work harder with that heart.
-It's the first overall pick of the second draft.
▶Director Heo Seung-pil called me. He said that the reason why he chose it as the first priority is that he has high expectations. It gave me strength. Thank you.
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▶ He made his professional debut as third base. He then settled on second base. We are not in a position to cover any position. I'm going to try hard everywhere.
-I need to be the leader of the new team.
The ▶ team also said that. First of all, I think I need to prepare well personally and get close to the players in the spring camp. When I was at KIA when I was young, I used to say bitter things to my juniors, but as I played an intermediate role by moving the team, I became an image of not saying bitter things. I think we should do it if necessary.
-Did you say hello to your Hanwha colleagues.
▶ I greeted the juniors who were training together and the juniors who contacted me. I didn't move to the FA, so everyone seems to be cautious. I talked to director Kim Kyung-moon on the phone. He encouraged me to do well.
-Lastly, your aspirations in Kiwoom.
▶I think you called me because you needed me. I desperately want to show you a good side of me. I'll eat my heart hard.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
