“This is the first time I have seen (Kang) Baekho like this. I think I will do something really big this year.”
These words are often exchanged between the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team and the KT team, which are training in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Kang Baek-ho (24, KT)’s attitude and attitude toward training are clearly different from those of previous years.
Kang Baek-ho, who appeared like a comet by hitting 29 homers in 2018 when he was a rookie, has since established himself as the team’s leading hitter. In 2021, he contributed to the team’s first Korean Series victory with a batting average of 0.347, 16 homers and 102 RBIs.
However, Kang Baek-ho had a nightmare last year. Due to a series of injuries, he only played in 62 games, less than half of the total, and his batting form collapsed, with a batting average of 0.245 and 6 home runs. His annual salary of 550 million won, which was the highest in his fifth year, was reduced to 290 million won this year. Salary negotiations were delayed, and he joined the team training camp a few days late.토토사이트
Kang Baek-ho, who is extremely proud, is showing his will through his actions rather than his words. He came to the training ground earlier than others at 6:00 am every day with his senior teammate Park Byeong-ho (37). It has not changed since the 15th when the WBC national team training began. As a member of the early going-to-work group with one-year senior Lee Jeong-hoo (25, Kiwoom), he starts his day earlier than others.
Kang Baek-ho is currently showing the best hitting feeling among the WBC national team hitters. On the 24th, he played as the designated hitter in a practice game against KT held at the Tucson Keno Veterans Memorial Stadium and hit a big 2-run home run against Son Dong-hyun in the 4th inning. It was a super-sized home run that flew over the bullpen behind the right wall and onto the road. Kang Baek-ho recorded 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 6 at-bats, including hitting a heavy hit in the 6th inning. Kang Baek-ho hit 2 hits in 4 at-bats including a home run in a practice game against NC on the 17th, his first real match of the year, and also hit 2 hits in 5 at-bats against KIA on the 20th. He had a batting average of 0.400 (6-for-15), two home runs, and four RBIs in three practice games.
Kang Baek-ho was originally scheduled to be used as a backup first baseman or pinch hitter to support first baseman Park Byung-ho in the national team. However, according to national team coach Lee Kang-cheol’s theory of ‘sending players in the best condition to the game’, his use is expected to increase.
Kang Baek-ho, who was criticized by fans for chewing gum at the dugout while losing the game at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, said, “I apologize again for showing a bad figure (during the Olympics).” I am preparing with a sense of responsibility as much as I do. He said, “I will prepare better for the rest of the training period and show you a good figure.”
KBS commentator Park Yong-taek, who watched the national team training on-site, said, “Kang Baek-ho definitely stands out. He is in the best condition among hitters,” he said. Park Byeong-ho also said, “While training together, I’m realizing how good Baek-ho is. He said, “As a senior, I am also learning a lot.”