The 2020 Tokyo Olympics baseball team held last year aimed at a generational change itself. When Yang Hyun-jong and Kim Gwang-hyun were playing in the United States and could not go, Won Tae-in (Samsung), Lee Eui-ri (KIA), Kim Min-woo (Hanwha), and Ko Young-pyo (KT) formed the mound axis. Since there was no clear starting pitcher, the pitchers threw short cuts and had a tough schedule for a total of 7 games. As fielders, Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom) and Kang Baek-ho (KT) received attention from overseas media even before the tournament. It was the first international comprehensive competition where long-time seniors stepped down and players in their 20s began to take the lead.
Korean baseball, which has seen hope through the Tokyo Olympics but also suffered pain, is very likely to form a national team that crosses generations again at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next March. There are new generations like outfielder Lee Jung-hoo and closer Go Woo-seok (LG) who have completely risen from their positions, but once again, the position where seniors have no choice but to step forward is prominent.
The mound is an example. A new ace Ahn Woo-jin appeared in this year’s league. He is the only pitcher to win two gold medals and also won the Golden Glove pitcher category. It is the number one successor to Yang Hyun-jong (KIA) and Kim Gwang-hyun (SSG). However, the selection is still unclear due to the controversy over the history of school violence. Then, as of this year, except for Ko Young-pyo and So Hyeong-jun (above KT), the best domestic starters in the league are still Kim Gwang-hyun and Yang Hyeon-jong. Now that the two have returned to the KBO league, the possibility of being selected by the WBC is high. If Ahn Woo-jin, the current best player, cannot go, the selection of Kim Gwang-hyun and Yang Hyeon-jong becomes more essential.
First baseman is also a position that symbolizes the generational change in Korean baseball. Kang Baek-ho was selected along with Oh Jae-il (Samsung) for the Tokyo Olympics as the national first baseman following Lee Seung-yeop, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Tae-gyun, and Park Byeong-ho. Last year, Kang Baek-ho challenged for multiple crowns and won the Golden Gloves for two consecutive years, leading the league.
Kang Baek-ho is definitely ranked first in the genealogy of the national first baseman. However, Kang Baek-ho, who started with an injury and had a bitter taste this season, has no choice but to be pushed to the lower ranks. On the other hand, in terms of performance, batting condition, and defense power, there is no first baseman who can beat Park Byeong-ho, the home run king who won the Golden Glove in three years, as a national team player. 토토사이트
The WBC is very different from the Olympics. Supervised by the Major League Secretariat, active major leaguers have a wide range of participation. The level of participating countries will also rise one notch higher. If Korea has to make up for the humiliation of being eliminated in the first round of the finals in a row in the 3rd and 4th competitions, it must select only players who are in the best condition in the current league.
The WBC Technical Committee recently decided on the entry through a meeting with the coaching staff. The list will be announced in early January. Looking at the results this season, there are still many veterans in the national team. Yang Hyeon-jong, Kim Gwang-hyeon, and Park Byeong-ho all last wore the Taegeuk mark at the Premier 12 in 2019.