LEE YIAK MOON KT PARK BYUNG-HO “INJURY STRUGGLE, NO YEAR”

“Fighting injuries, I won’t hear it this year”. Park Byung-ho (37), the center fielder of the KT WIZ in the KBO, is a symbol of ‘fighting spirit’. In the last two years he has played for KT, he has led the team through various injuries .In September 2022, Park was advised to undergo surgery for an anterior and posterior ligament injury in his right ankle, but he insisted on playing, saying he didn’t want to jeopardize the team’s last-place slotplayground race, and he made a phenomenal play, hitting home runs in consecutive at-bats as a pinch-hitter .Last year, the “injury fight” continued. Park injured his left calf while batting in August, but he played through the pain to finish the season, setting an example for his peers .Even at his worst, Park’s performance wasn’t bad .In 2022, he batted .275 with 35 home runs and 98 RBIs, and last season, he batted .283 with 18 home runs and 87 RBIs. However, Byung-ho Park is disappointed with the past two years.

“I’ve never played a full season in perfect physical condition since I put on the KT uniform,” Park told Yonhap News Agency on Thursday at Hyundai Motor Dream Ball Park in Gijang-gun, Busan, the team’s spring training site, emphasizing that he will not be labeled as an ‘injury battler’ this year. “In this spring training, I’m focusing on managing my body,” he said, adding, “I don’t have any aches and pains right now, and I’m improving my physical condition so that I can play a full season. “Park hopes to regain his ‘long batting average’ and ‘main focus’ with a healthy body. “Last season, I was disappointed that my batting average decreased from the previous year,” he said, “and my speed also decreased (due to my illness), but this year, I am focusing on training to improve both. “Another goal of spring training is to adapt to the KBO’s new rules for the 2024 season .The KBO will introduce an automatic ball judgment system (ABS) for the new season and ban defensive shifts, among other rules.

“I’m preparing for the new season with a broader view than technical things like modifying my batting form,” Park said, “I’ll familiarize myself with the new rules and adapt to them so that I can create a favorable environment .”Park also shared a message of support for his close junior Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), who has made it to the Major League Baseball (MLB).”Lee Jung-hoo has been fiercely preparing to enter the MLB for several years,” he said, “and he has made a thorough plan and has been practicing and working hard.””(Lee) will make his way well in the United States,” he said, adding, “I believe he will definitely succeed. “Lee Jung-hoo grew up with a lot of advice from Park Byung-ho, who had MLB experience when he played for the Kiwoom Heroes. When Byung-ho Park didn’t stay with Kiwoom as a free agent (FA) and moved to KT, he was heartbroken .Park Byung-ho not only supported Lee Jung-hoo, but also Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), who also played for Kiwoom.”Kim is already growing into one of the best players in the 슬롯게이밍 MLB, so I expect him to do well this year,” he said.