KIA Tigers’ Choi Hyung-woo (41) led the team to victory with another oldest record.
Choi Hyung-woo started as the fourth designated hitter in an away game against the LG Twins in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 9th and led his team to an 11-4 victory with three hits in five at-bats (one home run), five RBIs and two runs.
He displayed robust hitting performance from his first at bat in the top of the first inning. With his team leading 1-0, he hit a timely hit against LG starter Casey Kelly with one out and a runner on the second base. It was a slight hit, but it became a hit that fell in front of the right side of center field.
He was also lucky at his second at bat. He hit another hit in the top of the third inning with no outs and runners on the first base. The hit fell between the left and the shortstop, resulting in a double. It was Choi who had multi hits in his second at bat.
Choi’s bat never stopped. He got angry. In the top of the sixth inning, Park Chan-ho and Socrates had consecutive hits, and Choi Won-jun had a chance to garner the second and third bases with one out. The next batter is Kim Do-young. In this case, LG sent Kim Do-young to four pitches on purpose, using the bases loaded.
The next batter was Choi. He swung back-to-back against left-hander Lee Sang-young, sending him to disadvantageous ball count. However, he did not miss his opponent’s real throw. He swung a 125-km slider that came into the fifth pitch to lead to the Grand Slam. It was his ninth career full-base hit.
With this home run, Choi has once again left a new history in the KBO League. He became the oldest Korean player to ever hit a grand slam. It was the grand slam that he hit at the age of 40 years, six months and 23 days. The previous record was that of Lee Dae-ho (retired) with the bases loaded on 40 years, two months and 30 days. He ranks second when foreign players are included. It was recorded by Jose (former Lotte) on August 31, 2006 at the age of 41 years, three months and 29 days.
At the last batter’s box in the eighth inning, he threw a fly ball to the center field to end the game. He had three hits in 11 games since the game against LG on June 19.
When this reporter met him after the game, Choi said, “I felt so much better when I hit the ball in that situation than in the record. I always played a tough game with LG. If I don’t score (running away), LG will come after me no matter what. I’m so happy that I got to score points like this.”
He was not impressed by the fact that he played against Kim Do-young. “I don’t have such a thing anymore. It’s been a long time. I don’t feel anything,” Choi said. “I thought that I would have a high chance of getting an RBI since I was one out. I started thinking of getting an RBI in a good mood. I might have felt ridiculous when I was young, but now I am so happy.” 메이저놀이터
Choi Hyung-woo, who holds the record for the most RBIs in his career, has displayed extraordinary pace this year as well. He played a total of 78 games, including the game on the day, and has already marked 78 RBIs. This means that he has an RBI pace per game. His career-high 144 RBIs in 2016 is also worth trying.
Choi doesn’t want to be greedy. “I’m satisfied enough right now. There are definitely bad times. It doesn’t make sense for me to keep going like this. My goal for now is to do my best,” he said calmly.
KIA, which swept the last three consecutive games in the first half against Samsung, which was ranking second, will play LG in the first three consecutive games in the second half. Kia has gained the upper hand again this time. As a result, it was very happy to hit the homerun.
“It’s good to win against the second place team. We can boost the mood, and I think today’s victory was very good in many ways,” Choi said with satisfaction.
