“I don’t think you’re laughing, but you’re just expressing it in words.”
Samsung Lions veteran left-hander Baek Jung-hyun (36) started the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 30th and pitched well with seven hits, one walk, two strikeouts and two runs in 5.2 innings, winning five games of the season.
Baek Jung-hyun was canceled from 꽁머니지급 the first division after suffering pain in his left elbow after the match against Incheon SSG Landers on the 23rd of last month. Since then, he has focused on rehabilitation in the Futures team and returned to the first division in 37 days. His maximum speed was only 140 kilometers, but he finished his first game successfully in the second half with a good defense by the fielders with his out-of-the-way control.
Baek Jung-hyun, who met after the game, said, “The batters scored a lot from the start of the game. “I thought I should throw a lot of strikes without thinking about anything else and finish the game quickly,” he said adding, “It would have been very difficult without the good defense of the fielders.” “Thanks to you, I got through the early stages without losing a point,” he said.
When asked about his elbow condition, he said, “Fortunately, there is no major abnormality. At that time, I suddenly tried to use my strength, but it seemed to be too much. The examination showed that it was only inflammation and slight damage. In the past, he closed the season quickly due to the same area injury, so he approached it carefully. Still, he said, “I was able to return quickly because there were fewer injuries.”
Are there any regrets about the quality start (less than three earned runs in six innings). Baek Jung-hyun missed his sixth chance to achieve QS of the season because he failed to fill one out count.
Baek Jung-hyun said, “There was no regret at all. A difficult situation could have come, but I was able to overcome it thanks to the rain. I think I gave the score in the front row to the score in the back. “I also thank the pitchers who came up behind me for blocking me well,” he said with a smile.
Unlike the first half, Samsung has definitely found its pace in the second half. He has five wins, one draw and three losses in the second half. In addition, the winning rate in July was 0.529 (9 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw), ranking fourth in the league.
Baek Jung-hyun said, “I feel a lot of responsibility because the team is in the lower ranks. Even when I was injured, I felt like I had to prepare for it and go up and help the team. I was able to win with a lot of help from the fielders. “I will continue to prepare well in the future,” he said.
“Certainly, the team has gained vitality rather than the initial atmosphere,” he said. As most of the injured players return, the impact seems to be great. I will continue the atmosphere,” he added.
Last season, the first season of a four-year total of 3.8 billion FA contract, Baek Jung-hyun left a disappointment with 4 wins, 13 losses, and a 5.27 ERA in 24 games. This season, there were moments when he missed the rotation due to injury, but he is playing well with 5 wins, 5 losses, and a 3.89 ERA in 14 games.
Baek Jung-hyun said, “I prepared for the season a little early. It was not a situation to rest. Since there was a minor injury, he focused on recovery by rehabilitation training. “I think I found a sense while continuing to train,” he said.
Baek Jung-hyun always maintains a poker face. Even if he loses a point or his teammates play well, he always shows a consistent expression. He said, “I don’t think I laugh. He smiled lightly, saying, “It seems like he only expresses ‘Good work, thank you’.” The smile seemed to contain sincerity that could not be explained in words.