“Seeing with your own eyes is different from experiencing it yourself.”
Kiwoom Heroes pitcher Choi Won-tae (26) is fighting well at the beginning of the season. He is 1-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 5 games this season. He also pitches 31 innings, averaging over 6 innings.
Choi Won-tae,안전놀이터 who kept the Kiwoom hill firmly by raising double-digit multipliers for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019, but the last three years were different. He had 7 wins in the 2020 season, 9 wins in the 2021 season, and 7 wins last season, and he was disappointed.
But this season is off to a good start. His scoreless game is only one game, but even when he concedes, he is throwing his own ball. The burden he had before was gone, and a sense of responsibility was given.
Manager Hong Won-ki, who met ahead of the match against the Samsung Lions at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 4th, said, “I was anxious that the good games before would be gone if I made a lot of runs in the match against Lotte in Busan on the 28th and made a steel plate early. However, I think it is positive that he led the 5th and 6th episodes at his own pace.”
He continued, “There was a regrettable part of staying at 7-8 wins every year. But I think I felt a lot through the big game. Although it is the beginning of this year, he is keeping the mound without any big shakes. I think there is progress,” he added.
The ‘big game’ that coach Hong Won-ki talks about is the postseason. In particular, the experience of the Korean Series, which is called the stage of dreams for players, was of great help to Won-tae Choi. Choi Won-tae digested the fall baseball schedule with the bullpen, not as a selection during the postseason including the Korean Series. Coach Hong Won-ki said that he thought a lot and gained a sense of responsibility by throwing the ball from the bullpen rather than starting.
Manager Hong said, “In the past, it was difficult to hold on until the 5th inning if I lost a run in the beginning or if the number of pitches increased. But now he sees that he can run the game without losing speed until the 7th inning. He seems to be feeling responsible psychologically. During the last postseason, he played the role of bullpen and Pilseungjo and learned about the thoughts of the bullpen players, so I think his mindset has changed.”
He said, “Isn’t it said that a big game is an experience that can never be bought with money. It is best for young players to experience it firsthand rather than watching a broadcast or hearing about it from someone.”
Choi Won-tae will start the game against Samsung on the 4th.