“I’m happy.”
He was just as happy as he was at the news of the coach’s renewal.
KIA Tigers left-handed pitcher Kwak Do-kyu, who entered the Korean baseball team, said with a bright face that he was happy to renew the contract with manager Lee Bum-ho’s best treatment.
In an interview with reporters after the national team’s training at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 3rd, Kwak Do-gyu said with the brightest face, “I was so happy” when he said the news of Lee’s renewal while answering the reporters’ interview step by step.
Lee, who took the helm of Kia by signing a two-year contract during the off-season training in Okinawa, achieved the best season by leading the team to the championship of the regular league and the Korean Series this season. He unifies the players with his caring but stinging “brotherly leadership,” which points out mistakes. Upon winning the championship, the Kia team immediately renewed its contract with the highest offer. The contract was signed until next year, but the team newly signed a three-year contract worth 2.6 billion won (2.7 million U.S. dollars), including a down payment of 500 million won (464,700 dollars) each, an annual salary of 500 million won (464,700 dollars), and an option total of 600 million won (63,700 dollars). Lee will take the helm until 2027.
“I bragged about it to (Choi) Jimin. I’m so happy,” Kwak said. “I’m happy because I think playing with a good coach is my life and I think it’s the way for the team to go in a good direction.”
Kwak said Lee made it possible for players to perform on their own. “I haven’t shown anything to adults this year. I don’t think he has done anything this year, like coming out early to do at night or going around to do something nice in the corner of the weight center to show the same thing,” Kwak said. In other words, he didn’t have to do anything he did to catch the eye of the coaching staff or the front desk.
Kwak Do-gyu said, “There was a better place in the corner by myself, so I worked out harder with earphones on. And I took a rest without noticing when I thought I could prepare better for the game if I really took a break,” adding, “Since I leave it up to each individual’s freedom, I became a good team as each individual found a way to improve their physical condition to the best. I’m really grateful because I think coach Lee Bum-ho made that part well.”
He also revealed what he hugged each other after winning the Korean Series. Kwak Do-gyu said, “When the coach won and hugged together, he told me that he did a great job this year and that he won the Korean Series because he pitched it well, so I told him I was very grateful.”
Kwak Do-gyu, who joined Kia as the 42nd player in the fifth round last year after graduating from Gonggo High School, only pitched in 14 games and 11 ⅔ innings in the first division last year to maintain an 8.49 ERA without losing or losing, but he pitched in 55 ⅔ innings in 71 games this season, playing as a must-winner for Kia with four wins, two losses, two saves, 16 holds and an ERA of 3.56. In the Korean Series, he pitched in four games, pitched four scoreless innings, and became one of the main players in the team’s victory as he won two relief games. 메이저놀이터
As soon as he wins, he joins the national team and now prepares as a key left-handed bullpen in Premier 12.
