How was Na Kyun-an (26, Lotte Giants) able to join the second-tier squad and start individual training while being disciplined for drinking.
An official from Lotte Giants of professional baseball met with reporters in Game 13 of the season against KT Wiz of 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 11th and said, “Na Gyun-an joined Gimhae Sangdong Stadium earlier this month and started personal training.”
Lotte held its own disciplinary committee against Na Kyun-an on June 28, confirmed the facts of the player, and suspended him for 30 games and punished him for 40 hours of community service activities.
It has been revealed that Na had a drinking party with his acquaintance on the night of June 24, a day before he was scheduled to start the game against the Kia Tigers in Sajik on June 25, and spent time after midnight until early morning on June 25. Controversy flared up when a baseball fan uploaded a photo of Na’s attendance at a drinking party on the Internet community. Numerous baseball fans were angered by the lack of professional spirit of having a drinking party until early morning on the day when he started the game. 먹튀검증
Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung considered replacing the starting pitcher on the 25th after recognizing the controversy over Na Kyun-an’s drinking, but he put Na Kyun-an on the mound as it was under the starting notice system that the starting pitcher cannot be changed except for the reason of injury.
He was doomed to death and was retribution. He had a drinking party until early in the morning, but he couldn’t afford to display good pitching. Na Kyun-an started the game as scheduled against KIA on Saturday, and was substituted early with seven hits (one homer) and six walks, two strikeouts and eight runs left in the first ⅔ inning. He was booed by Lotte’s home fans and headed to the dugout bitterly.
It was the moment when he lost his fan spirit in an instant and fell to the abyss after succeeding in turning into a pitcher at the end of time following the nomination of the rookie draft in 2017.
Na Kyun-an, who has been suspended for 30 games, will be able to play in the first division games from July 14 under the assumption that there will be no cancellation of rain in the future. He is currently under disciplinary action until July 13. Nevertheless, Na is reportedly participating in individual training at the Gimhae Sangdong Stadium, where the Lotte 2nd division basecamp was set up, earlier this month.
“Na Gyun-an is not allowed to participate in team training due to the club’s internal regulations, so he is conducting individual training,” said a Lotte official who met him in Suwon on Wednesday. “I was able to join Sangdong under the permission of Lee Kang-hoon, the team’s CEO.” Na is not able to join the team’s group training, but is building up his body through individual training.
A specific return plan has also been set after the disciplinary action is over. Starting with half-pitching on the 14th when the disciplinary action will be lifted, Na Kyun-an plans to boost his senses with 30 to 40 pitches of bullpen pitching on the 17th. A Lotte official said, “As the disciplinary action has not been completed yet, the schedule for the Futures League game has not come out. The decision will be made after watching the training.”
Lotte, which has been playing a tough game due to its pitching difficulties in the second half of the year, could be in control if Na Kyun-an joins the team. Nonetheless, as the latest disciplinary action is so sensitive, Kim Tae-hyung, the “straight forward” coach, also appeared to be reticent.
“The Na Kyun An issue is one that I cannot easily make decisions on. I think we need to look at the situation,” coach Kim Tae-hyung said on Sunday.
