KIA Tigers players will not be able to wear the number 18 on their jerseys. The number 18 worn by “national treasure” Sun Dong-yeol during his playing days has been permanently retired. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 26, who was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade this winter, wore the number 18 to his introductory press conference. He wore the number 18 for three consecutive years with the Nippon Professional Baseball Oryx Buffaloes, where he led the team in wins, ERA, strikeouts, and winning percentage.
Left-hander Shota Imanaga, 31, who signed with the Chicago Cubs earlier this month, also wore No. 18. He wore No. 21 with the Yokohama BayStars before switching to No. 18. 안전놀이터 Genta Maeda (35) wore No. 18 for the Hiroshima Capps, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins from 2008-2023. He moved on to the Detroit Tigers, where he was given the number 18 again.
In Korean and Japanese baseball, the number 18 symbolizes an ace.
Lee Sang-kyu (28), who was selected by the Hanwha Eagles in the second round of the draft, wore the number 18. He wore No. 48 in the LG Twins, but changed his number.
“I always wanted to wear the No. 18 jersey,” said Lee on the 18th at Hanbadang Gymnasium near Daejeon Baseball Stadium.
The second round of the draft was held last November. Hanwha selected Lee Sang-gyu with the second overall pick in the first round. He was disappointed to have to leave the team, but his potential was recognized.
A 10-year pro who joined LG as a 7th round pick in the 2015 rookie draft. He has a good 150 kilometers per hour fastball, but never really blossomed in LG. Appeared in 44 games and pitched 45 innings. 2 wins, 3 losses, 4 saves, 1 hold, 6.20 ERA.
There’s a reason he wanted to wear the number 18.
“In 2019, I sent a video of my pitching to Yamamoto through an acquaintance and asked for advice,” Lee said. The Japanese athlete had gotten to know him through personal training in Okinawa. Yamamoto was emerging as the Orix’s main pitcher.
“He wasn’t tall and skinny, but he was special. I wanted to throw like him,” he said.
He worked out harder and more diligently than anyone else. There was confusion as he tried different things. That’s probably why he didn’t spread his wings with the Twins.
“I think it’s kind of settled now. “I’m not a free agent, so they’re not going to just give me a chance. I have to work hard and make it my own,” he said, adding, “I want to find my role, whether it’s a closer or a reliever.”
The move could be a turning point in his baseball career. 파워볼실시간 It will be meaningful for Lee Sang-gyu to change his number.
Lee pitched one scoreless inning against Hanwha on May 20 last year at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. With the bases loaded in the top of the 12th inning of a 1-1 extra-inning tie, he got pinch-hitter Eu Eui-yeon to ground out to the catcher and Noh Si-hwan to fly out to center field.
“I thought he was going to be good, and I want to hear him say that he’s upset that we let him go.”
What can we expect from Lee Sang-kyu this season?