Will we be able to see Austin Dean (31, USA), the all-time foreign hitter of the LG Twins, in the KBO league for a long time.
Austin, who joined the LG Twins last year, is now reborn as a living history for the Twins. In 140 games this season, Austin played a batting average of 0.319 (168 hits in 527 times at bat), 32 homers, 32 doubles, three triples, 132 RBIs, 99 runs and 12 steals (eight failed), 61 walks, 82 strikeouts, and a on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.384 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.957. His batting average was 0.329.
It was his second season in the Korean league, but he had no jinx in his second year. Austin played in 139 games in the 2023 season, posting a batting average of 0.313, 163 hits (4th), 23 home runs (3rd), and 95 RBIs (3rd), contributing to his overall win in 29 years. Above all, Austin showed strong performance in chances by scoring 15 finishers, the most in the league. Eventually, LG successfully secured a total of 1.3 million dollars (down payment of 300,000 won, annual salary of 800,000 won, and incentive 200,000 dollars) after the 2023 season.
Austin continued his strong performance this season. Whenever a runner goes out, he comes home intensively and becomes the first RBI king in the history of LG. The gap with runner-up Davison (119 RBIs) was 13 RBIs. At the game against Kiwoom in Gocheok on August 24, he became the first foreign hitter to achieve 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season wearing LG’s uniform. Now Austin is considered LG’s all-time foreign hitter.
LG plans to stick with Austin next season as well. There was a time when I had some conversations with Austin in September when the season was in full swing. When I met with Star News at the time, Austin expressed his honest opinion on renewing his contract with LG and further multi-year contracts. No club has officially announced that it has signed a multi-year contract with a foreign player in the KBO League. 온라인카지노
Austin first said, “I want to stay at LG next season as well. I hope things go as planned after the end of the season,” adding, “I learned the fun of baseball when I came to LG. I like to wear pin stripe jerseys. Also, LG fans’ support is so great. The environment is the best when I think of my family.”
Austin has become a foreign hitter who loves Korea more than anyone else. When he was playing in Korea, he said, “The biggest advantage of my environment is public security. I really like that I don’t have to look back when I go out at midnight like I used to when I was living in the U.S. I feel safe even if I go out at night or early in the morning. My wife and son also feel that Korea is very safe. Also, it is very convenient to use a taxi (call taxi, payment method, etc.). However, the only problem is that the road is too congested.”
Still, contracts are still another matter. Austin said, “I know things have to go well, but when we enter into negotiations, it becomes a business again. Whatever happens, you will understand. I really love my family. I will do my best to help them. However, there will be no change in my desire to continue playing for LG.”
Then, Austin mentioned something first, and it was a multi-year contract. “Was there any foreign player in the KBO league who signed multi-year contracts?” Austin asked. “There wasn’t one yet,” Austin said, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if he became the first hero?” with a cool look on his face. How will Austin be treated? How will he perform next season? LG fans’ expectations are also rising.
