“I prepared with a clenched teeth.”

Lotte Giants Jeong Bo-geun was selected as catcher and 9th hitter in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League NC Dinos season 10 home match held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 2nd. He played an active role with 1 hit in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 2 RBIs, 2 runs and 1 walk, and stood at the forefront of the team’s escape from 4 consecutive losses.

On the 29th of last month, Jung Bo-geun received a call to the first team after a long time. The reason why ‘8 billion catcher’ Yoo Gang-nam needed resources to fill the ‘home’ as he was separated from the front line due to a side injury. Jeong Bo-geun, who wore a catcher mask as the second starter after returning to the first team, literally had an unforgettable day in his professional career.

Jeong Bo-geun faced Eric Peddy, the best pitcher in the KBO League and enough to be called an active big leaguer, in the first at-bat with a chance to score on 1st and 2nd base at the end of the 2nd inning with a 2-0 lead. After filtering out two balls from the unfavorable count of 0B-2S, Jung Bo-geun attacked the 132km sweeper on the 6th pitch, but swallowed regret as it was only a foul fly by the pitcher. But he never got hit twice by the same pitch.

Jung Bo-geun once again confronted Peddy in the bottom of the 4th inning, with one out and first base, allowing a 2-3 turnaround, but it was different from the first at-bat. Jeong Bo-geun turned the bat without hesitation when Pedi’s 130km sweeper on the second pitch formed a course toward the body. As a result, the ball that left Jeong Bo-geun’s bat spread at a speed of 162.4 km, leading to a come-from-behind two-run home run that went over the left fence.

This home run was Jung Bo-geun’s second home run in his personal career, and he tasted it 369 days after the match against the Samsung Lions on July 29 last year. If the first home run hit on the road, this time it was the first home run hit at home. Jeong Bo-geun gave Peddy the most runs in a game based on the home run of the horseman, and the ’14-win ace’ Peddy, who was hit with a home run, couldn’t hide his regret to the point of sitting on the mound.

The activity did not stop there. In the third at-bat of the 6th inning, Jung Bo-geun appeared as the lead batter and got a walk, playing a role in opening the water. While stepping on, he was active all over the place, even creating a score that put a wedge in the victory. Coach Larry Sutton gave a thumbs up after the game, saying, “In particular, Jung Bo-geun brought the atmosphere to us by making a decisive home run not only in excellent defense but also in offense.”

How was the first home run in a year in front of home fans? Jeong Bo-geun said, “Peddy’s main pitch is a slider (sweeper), and he was aiming for it from the first at-bat. However, in the first at-bat, the result was not good, as if he had worked hard. It was connected as a result,” he smiled happily.

Jung Bo-geun said it was a mistake, but the ball Peddy threw was a very good ball that pierced the body. He said, “I didn’t intentionally make the launch angle (27.4 degrees), but because there was a runner on first base, I tried to send the ball to the outfield without hitting a double hit, and it hit well.” “he explained.

Jeong Bo-geun showed off the ceremony as if he had prepared it by raising his right hand after hitting a home run. “I didn’t prepare a ceremony. It’s because I’m not a home run hitter. But I think I raised my hand unknowingly because the moment I hit it, it seemed like I went over the fence,” he said. It was a home run, and it seems even more meaningful and good that the team won after a come-from-behind turn.”

Since he was not a hitter who usually hit a lot of home runs, his teammates congratulated him even more. Jung Bo-geun said, “The other players congratulated me more than usual. And they cheered me on to instill confidence,” and added, “(Yoon) Dong-hee liked him the most. After this came out, he liked it even more.” He couldn’t hide his smile.

Jeong Bo-geun’s batting average was 0.280 when he went down to the second group, and his batting condition was not bad. He didn’t have a problem defensively either. At that time, Lotte had no choice but to go to the 2nd Army to give Son Seong-bin an opportunity and experience after being discharged from Sangmu. However, he is now in a position to fill the void left by Yoo Kang-nam along with Son Seong-bin.

Jeong Bo-geun said, “Honestly, it would be a lie if I said there was no pressure, but it’s up to me to overcome it. I’m working hard and preparing well to show a good image. I want to seize the opportunity. “When I went down to the 2nd team, it was regrettable, and I thought I went down because there were some things I couldn’t do. So I clench my teeth a little more and prepare. “he explained.

The home run was definitely a joy, but he led a quality start (less than 3 earned runs in 6 innings) through collaboration with “Ace” Charlie Barnes, and also collaborated with the winning team on pitching no runs. Jung Bo-geun emphasized, “In terms of defense, if the pitchers’ runs are minimized and the team wins but doesn’t score points, it’s more enjoyable and better than doing well in batting. I hit a home run today, but that part (pitcher and breathing) was good,” he emphasized.먹튀검증

Jeong Bo-geun marked OPS 0.901 with his performance that day. Jeong Bo-geun, who hit a home run this year following last season, will not be greedy for long hits in the future. He said, “I am not chased mentally than before, and my confidence has improved because I only hit the course I was envisioning and it led to good results.” he said forcefully.