An exciting feast was set up. All you had to do was enjoy it. But something unexpected happened. I had no choice but to be in shock.
The hot topic in this game was Choi Jeong, the leading hitter of the SSG, in Incheon on Thursday when the game between the SSG Landers and the KIA Tigers took place. Choi Jeong, the home run hitter who has established himself as the best right-handed slugger in the league since his debut in 2005. Choi Jeong-eun was preparing to write a new history. At the match against KIA a day earlier, Choi Jeong hit a dramatic tying solo shot in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead his team to a miraculous come-from-behind victory. He also increased the number of homers in his personal history to 467. The 467 home runs were the highest ever recorded by Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop. Choi Jeong has become on par with the legend.
If he scores one more, it would have been a new chapter in his history. Everyone was excited. "It was my life game," SSG coach Lee Soo-yong said, expressing his "respect" for Choi, while reversing the previous day's game. "How much pressure would a player have on him? I hope he hits a home run soon in today's game," Lee said in heartfelt support.
"Of course, we have to win. It's a home run that will come out someday, and it's meaningful if our team gives up a home run while playing fair."
The SSG team also prepared a huge event. It prepared a huge amount of carrots to recover the commemorative ball for the historical home run. The team presented gifts worth a total of 15 million won (10,800 U.S. dollars) including two season tickets for next season's best seats, a travel ticket to the spring camp, a one-year free Starbucks coffee shop, and a 1.4 million won gift certificate to E-Mart shopping mall. Fans also responded to the offer. It was a weekday game and 16,062 fans came. In particular, tickets were sold out for the outfield seats near the third base, where right-handed batter Choi Jeong-ui's homerun ball is highly likely to fly. The outfield seats at the first base were also almost full. It is said that scalpers appeared as well. Rumor has it that the price of a ticket worth around 10,000 won has soared to 50,000 won.
The marketing and public relations teams were busy even before the game. If a home run comes out, there are a lot of things to do, such as events and providing convenience for reporting. However, no one looked displeased. It was impressive to see the franchise star and everyone working happily.
Even if a home run does not come out, fans are happy to see the historical moment. However, Choi Jeong lamented at his first at-bat in the first inning.
Kia's starting pitcher Crow's second pitch, 150 km two-seam fastball, hit his body. It hit Choi Jeong's torso. Choi has not only a home run but also the record for the most walks. He has been hit a lot. He does not budge from most balls. It hurt a lot, however. It was ominous. He managed to get to first base, but he couldn't help but send an autograph to the dugout. After being replaced, he immediately moved to a hospital.
The results of the examination were shocking. Microfracture of ribs. He is scheduled to undergo a detailed examination on the 18th, but X-rays and CT scans have confirmed the fracture. First of all, the hospital said it should take absolute rest for about a month. There is no way to treat ribs until they naturally stick together. That is why it is a headache.
A new home run record will come out someday, and since Choi Jeong still has a lot of active career left, the record will continue to accumulate, but the hit is too big right now. It is expected that he will miss the game for a long time, and it is a fatal blow for SSG, which has emerged as a dark horse in the top ranks. Choi Jeong already hit nine home runs this season, and the pace was very good. It was worth a try as the oldest home run king. Of course, I can come back and jump into the competition for the home run title, but the reality is that it has become very disadvantageous under the circumstances. Choi Jeong-eun will become a FA for the third time after this season.
BY: 토토사이트