At this point, it’s safe to say that he’s a ‘hit streaker’. This is the story of Hong Won-ki, manager of the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes.
Lotte Giants infielder Son Ho-young, who had a 30-game hitting streak, tied for the third-longest in KBO history, was held to just one hit and one walk in three at-bats against Gocheok Kiwoom on Nov. 21.
One hit would have tied the team’s 31-game hitting streak, the second-longest in history and the longest in a single season, set by team captain Park Jung-tae in 1999, but the Kiwoom defense erased Son’s final at-bat opportunity in the ninth inning with a fielder’s choice.
Ahead of the game against Gocheok Lotte on Feb. 22, Hong was reminded of the hot Masan 25 years ago when he broke Park Jung-tae’s hitting streak.
On June 10, 1999, while playing for the Doosan Bears, Hong made a diving catch at third base on Park’s grounder with two outs in the ninth inning against Masan Lotte.
Park desperately slid to first base, but Hong’s throw to first base was faster.
After the game, angry Masan Stadium fans stood guard at the stadium entrance, and Hong was not able to leave the stadium until much later.
“It was just a few days after I was traded to Doosan. I didn’t intentionally break that record. It just happened,” he said with a wry smile.
“I still remember him telling me the next day, ‘Thank you for doing your best,'” he said. It was an opportunity for me to get closer to him,” he adds.
Nearly a decade later, Masan baseball fans haven’t forgotten about Hong
“When I went to Masan Stadium as a power analyst in 2008, the Masan fans remembered everything,” Hong recalled, adding, “The old baseball fans remember me a lot because of that game.”
Hong also praised Son for his 30-game hitting streak.
“He played in the second team at LG, then went to Lotte and played like a weed. I’m proud of him, even if he’s on a different team,” Hong said, adding, “He would have been a great mentor for a younger player. Both pitching and defense did their best, so I applaud him for hitting in 30 consecutive games.” 토토사이트