SSG Landers’ Choi Ji-hoon (27) is determined to play hard for his team even in the sweltering weather.
Choi started at first base against the Doosan Bears in the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Nov. 11 and went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, three runs scored and one walk. SSG won 11-9 behind Choi’s performance and snapped a three-game losing streak. With the win, SSG reclaimed fifth place in the standings.
In the postgame interview, Choi said, “It’s a really tough time for everyone. The pitchers threw a lot and the batters ran a lot. I think it’s time to tire out not only our pitchers but also the pitchers of other teams. If you look at the scores of other teams after the game, there are a lot of runs because the weather is different and hotter this year. I think the weather has a big impact,” he said.
This year, the KBO League has been battling the heat. There have even been games canceled due to the heat. Choi Ji-hoon said, “I already have a lot of heat, but the heat rises above my head and hurts my eyes. When I go to the outfield, it’s really hot. But I’m not the only one who’s hot, everyone else is suffering, so I’m trying to endure it as much as possible.” Choi Ji-hoon, who has to run a lot throughout the game as a leadoff center fielder, said, “I used to feel a little frustrated. But now I’m just trying to accept it. It’s what I have to do and the team wants me to play like that, so I’m just going to accept it,” he laughed.
Choi hit a three-pitch,
142-kilometer-per-hour fastball from left-handed reliever Lee Kyo-hoon for a solo home run. 토토사이트 순위 It was his 10th home run of the season. It’s the first time he’s reached the 10-homer plateau in two years after hitting 10 in 2022. “I’m not usually this good, but I’ve been especially weak against left-handed pitchers this year,” said Choi, who reflected on his home run by saying, “Today, I went into the batter’s box thinking, ‘Don’t miss the fastball, let’s catch it,’ and I think that’s what led to this good result.”
“I don’t think it means anything special, but it’s just a feeling of comfort that my hitting balance is back from last year,” said Choi, who hit double-digit home runs for the first time in two years. “It’s not that I want to hit more home runs, but I feel like, ‘Oh, I’m doing well now,'” he said. “Of course, it’s good to hit a home run. I don’t think there’s a player who doesn’t like to hit a home run. It feels good,” he added.
Choi, who leads the league in defensive innings pitched this season, said, “The manager always asks me, and he tells me to tell him if I’m struggling. Of course, it’s hard for everyone. So if it helps me to go out there and play, I want to keep going unless I’m going to die. My physical condition is fine,” he said.