"Something like that only happens once in a lifetime."
Kia Tigers foreign-born hitter Socrates Brito was the victim of a head shot from left-hander Sung Jae-heon in the top of the third inning against the Suwon KT Wiz on Thursday. The pitch grazed his helmet, but it was a potentially traumatic situation for Socrates, who was hit in the cheekbone and nose by a pitch from Kim Kwang-hyun on July 2, 2022, against the Incheon SSG Landers.
Coach Lee Bum-ho took care of Socrates himself. Before the game against Suwon KT on the 15th, he met with Socrates separately and reassured him that he had never seen anyone suffer such a terrible injury twice, saying, "It will only happen once in a lifetime."
Socrates returned to the field on the 15th in high spirits, and continued his recent upswing with a game-winning double and a super catch. Socrates has nothing but gratitude for Lee. "I was very lucky," he said of the head shot. It was a slight deflection and I didn't get hurt too badly. I'm grateful that I didn't get hurt," he said.
Speaking about coach Lee Bum-ho, Socrates said, "I was able to play today because he believed in me. I'm very fortunate and grateful. He always told me that he 스포츠토토 believes in me even when I don't feel like hitting, and he continues to show that faith. I'm grateful for that and I value it."
Socrates has worked with Lee as a hitting coach for the past two years. He is the manager this season. However, he said, "He hasn't really changed." There was a lot of talk about his batting slump, but Socrates believed in Lee and made a comeback in June.
"People have been worried about me since yesterday. They asked me a lot, but I'm in really good shape," he said. In 12 games in June alone, Socrates is batting .359 with one home run, seven RBIs and six runs scored. He raised his season batting average to .286. Most importantly, Socrates has regained his confidence by playing a key role in the team's victories.
Kia has also reportedly seriously considered whether to replace Socrates. However, no matter what the front office decides, it seems unlikely that Lee Bum-ho will replace Socrates if he has faith in him. In fact, it is generally believed that foreign batters take longer to adapt to a new league than foreign pitchers. It might be better to wait for Socrates to come alive and help him get better.