Is KBO 2024 the strongest ‘cleanup trio’? The ‘resolution’ of the first home run king in history.
The first home run king in the KBO league for four consecutive years. Will Byung-ho Park (38) be able to regain his status as the home run king in the 2024 season?
Park Byung-ho is expected to take on the important role of being the fourth hitter for the Wizards in the 2024 season. KT coach Lee Kang-cheol, whom we recently met at the Gijang camp, emphatically said, “We are planning to go to Park Byeong-ho as the number 4 hitter.”
Byung-ho Park is a living legend of Korean baseball. From the 2012 season to the 2015 season, he became the first player in KBO League history to win the home run title for four consecutive years. Park Byung-ho was the home run king in the 2019 season.
Park Byung-ho, who hit 21 home runs in the 2020 season and 20 in the 2021 season, seemed to have succeeded in making a comeback by hitting 35 home runs in the 2022 season. Since the 2011 season (13 home runs), Byung-ho Park has hit more than 20 home runs for 11 consecutive seasons. But he only hit 18 home runs last season.
Park Byeong-ho opened his mouth, saying, "We advanced to the Korean Series last year, but there were definitely some disappointing parts. I think our biggest goal is to become a team that can win this year."
He continued, "I think I prepared a little faster than before. I got in shape in advance and practiced batting. I started working out right after the season ended. There was also the effect of the opening being delayed. I also wanted to hit a little better myself, so I started training quickly. “I think I prepared,” he said.
Byung-ho Park also expressed disappointment with his home run performance in the 2023 season. He said, "Actually, I was a bit disappointed last year. Personally, I exceeded 30 in 2022, but I couldn't even hit 20 last year. If I try to do well on my own, I need to hit more long balls. In the 2024 season, a home run is a home run, but recovering my slugging percentage is key." “It’s my biggest goal,” he said emphatically.
It is no exaggeration to say that KT boasts the strongest cleanup trio among the 10 teams. Above all, Rojas, the former KBO League MVP, made a comeback. Here, ‘hitting genius’ Kang Baek-ho is also holding on. Park Byeong-ho said of Rojas, "He is a foreign player who achieved good results in Korea. Also, I heard that he is a good teammate who respects Korean baseball culture outside of baseball. I am looking forward to those things as well. We will have more conversations. “I will, but I also try to get a lot of help. We have to do well with each other,” he said.
Regarding the strong hitters back and forth, he said, "It is true that having a hitter who can hit long balls like this reduces the pressure. Everyone has times when they are in good condition and times when they are not. So when someone is in bad condition, if someone else takes care of it, the next hitter can “It’s true that they are more comfortable,” he said.
Last year, Byung-ho Park became the first first baseman to receive the defensive award in the 42-year history of the KBO League. Park Byeong-ho, who played 730⅓ innings as the starting first baseman, said, "First of all, I will build my body so that I can play as a first baseman for more than 100 games. I will make sure I am always ready when I am told to go out." “I think they will pay more attention to the designated hitter,” he said with a smile.
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