Another twist drama dream NC's Son Ah-seop

NC Dinos Captain Son Ah-seop is dreaming of a pleasant rebellion again this year.

NC, led by head coach Kang In-kwon, wrote a thrilling reversal drama last year. Main players such as Yang Eui-ji (Doosan Bears), Noh Jin-hyuk (Lotte Giants), and Won Jong-hyun (Kium Heroes) left and were considered "last place candidates," but they won a ticket to the postseason by ranking fourth with 75 wins, two draws and 67 losses.   토토사이트

The NC Dinosaurs got stronger after the autumn wind blew. Until the second round of the wild card game (best-of-two games, one win is given to the fourth place), the semi-playoff (best-of-five), and the playoff (best-of-five), the Doosan Bears, the SSG Landers, and the KT Wiz did not lose a single game. Unfortunately, the Korean Series ticket had to be given to KT after losing all three games, but it was a good enough performance to receive applause.

However, as the opening is just around the corner, NC has not been ranked at the top of the list by many experts this time. This is why the competitive teams have become so powerful.

Nevertheless, NC`s captain Son A-seop did not care. "The membership of other teams has improved so much that it will be a really difficult season," Son said after the 2024 KBO Media Day event at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Tuesday. "Last season was also classified as low-ranked. I don't care."

In the meantime, Son hoped that the team's juniors would use this evaluation as a bigger motivation. "Our players should have a stronger mind about these situations. I think it can be a great motivation for us if our pride is hurt and we can express those feelings passionately on the field," he stressed.

One of NC's biggest strengths last year was by far the good team atmosphere. Veteran players such as Son Ah-seop, Park Min-woo and Park Gun-woo showed leadership, and in this atmosphere, young players such as Kim Joo-won, Kim Hyung-joon and Seo Ho-chul were able to establish themselves as key resources.

A good example would be the quote time. After gathering in front of the dugout before the game under the leadership of Son Ah-seop, the NC team said the quote that day and everyone shouted "fighting." As a result, those who felt less pressure and determined were able to display the best performance on the ground.

"I didn't give much credit to him at all. The fans made it for me. We had basic conversations before the game, and not only the captains and elders, but also the younger ones took turns to do it," Son said. "It would be a relief if it helped greatly improve players' performance and motivate them. I will keep it this year."

Son Ah-seop, who has been in NC since the 2022 season after being drafted by the Lotte Giants as the 29th overall player in the second and fourth rounds in 2007, is the leading hitter in the KBO League who posted a batting average of 0.322 (2,416 hits in 7,500 times at bat), 174 homers, 986 RBIs and 1316 runs in 1974 games until last year. He holds the record for the most hits by active players, and is ranking second after commentator Park Yong-taek (2504 hits) even when expanding his career range.

Son's performance continued in the 2023 season. He played in 140 games, posting a batting average of 0.339 (187 hits in 551 at-bats), five homers and 65 RBIs, becoming the first hit king in his career and the fourth in his career (2012, 2013, 2017, 2023). The achievement was all the more valuable because he overcame a slump (batting average of 0.277 with four homers and 48 RBIs) in the 2022 season. Son hopes to continue his upward trajectory last year even for NC's sake this year.

"I want to achieve the batting champion and achievements that I won last year again this year. If I keep that position, I will be more helpful and positive to the team. I think I need to maintain at least the roles and performances I played last year for the team to perform well." Son said.

"I feel a lot of pressure," he said of the title of batting champion. "I've been playing baseball with a lot of pressure since I was in my early 20s. It always seems like pressure and excitement coexist at this time of year. Of course, professional players have to bear the burden. It's up to me to win."

Lastly, Son Ah-seop said, "Baseball doesn't go as I thought," but added, "I'm confident. I'm better prepared than this time last year. At the beginning of last year, I was sluggish. If I can play from the beginning of this year, I think my season's performance will be better than last year. My current condition is so good."

Meanwhile, NC will face Doosan under manager Lee Seung-yeop with new foreign left-hander Kyle Hart at the opening game at Changwon NC Park on the 23rd. Hart, who boasts a confident physical condition of 196 centimeters tall and weighs 90 kilograms, has played in four Major League Baseball (MLB) games (three starts) and posted a 42-47 record and 3.72 ERA in 143 games (119 starts) for seven seasons in the Minor League.

In response, Doosan will pitch Raul Alcantara as its starting pitcher. Alcantara is a right-handed pitcher who recorded 44 wins and 22 losses with a 3.04 ERA in 89 games (563.1 innings) in the KBO League.