The watch of Doosan Bears’ “genius shortstop” Kim Jae-ho never stops in 2024. Amid the issue of honoring one-club men and veterans in the recent second draft of the KBO, Doosan chose to accompany Kim. Doosan fans can never allow “No. 52” to be inscribed on another uniform.
Kim Jae-ho’s second FA contract he signed three years ago has all expired after the 2023 season. Kim played 91 games in the 2023 season and displayed his veteran record with a batting average of 0.283/70 hits/ three homers/ 29 RBIs. In the wild card game, Kim started as the second batter and played the role of a table setter with two hits, one walk and three runs scored.
The slower-than-expected growth of young fielders, including Lee Yoo-chan, Ahn Jae-seok and Park Gye-beom, who challenged for Kim Jae-ho’s position in 2023, also made them feel the high wall of “genius shortstop.” Doosan reportedly included Kim Jae-ho on the list of 35 players on the 2nd draft protection list, as it still showed competitiveness in the first division stage.
“Kim Jae-ho also had good performances, so there is no reason not to join us next year,” Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop said. “Yet young fielders need to overcome Kim to make the team stronger. We need to compete fiercely to keep our positions and take them away from each other,” emphasizing the need for Kim.
Kim Jae-ho, who attended the charity baseball championship for sharing hope Yang Joon-hyuk held at Gocheok Dome on Nov. 26, told reporters, “I came to the championship after a long time since I came to the third inning. I threw the ball hard because I had nothing to do but throw a pitcher (laughs). It was a good thing, so I had a great day with my juniors.”
Kim Jae-ho is a Bears living legend who is fully qualified to make his own decision at the last minute of his career. Kim Jae-ho is expected to challenge his limits once again by extending his playing career to the 2024 season. 토토사이트
“First of all, I think we should discuss it with the club in December. Since I don’t play as many games as I used to, I have time to pay more attention to my physical condition and maintenance. I’m going to do weight training now and start lifting again from December. At my current age, I don’t feel sick (laughs),” Kim said in a nod.
Kim Jae-ho expected Doosan to compete for a tougher ranking in the 2024 season. It also meant that the team had to prepare for the season with a stronger mind.
“Low-ranked teams have strengthened their power this year, and if we start the season without many injuries like this year, we expect a formidable competition to rank next year,” Kim Jae-ho said. “If our team does not become stronger, I think it is a crisis that could fall next year. In order to make it to the semifinals again, our players must develop that much and be nervous.”
Kim Jae-ho attended the “Bear’s Gathering” held at Jamsil Stadium on Saturday and met with Doosan fans. As he felt Doosan fans’ great love through fan signing events and high-five events, Kim expressed his gratitude even more.
Kim Jae-ho said, “I am always grateful to Doosan fans. I felt that I received a lot of love this year. As Yang’s will came back, I felt that fans still had a lot of nostalgia for the dynasty when they won the title in 2015 and 2016. With Won-joon (Jang) gone, fans seem to be even more disappointed as there are not many people left. Now is the time for juniors to fill in a lot of those parts. I hope you will give a lot of support and encouragement to your juniors next year.”
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