This is the atmosphere of KIA right now.
For the first time in a long time, a familiar cheer song at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field rang out. The main character was KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho.
KIA won 7-5 in the regular season opener against Kiwoom Heroes of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 23rd.
The reason why KIA's home opening game was more special than usual was because of the spectators. The heat was hot even before the game. Many tickets had already been sold through online reservations, and KIA announced that 25,500 seats were sold out at 1:50 p.m., 10 minutes before the start of the game.토토사이트넷
It is the first time in as many as 1715 days that Gwangju-KIA Champions Field has been filled with spectators since the match against Hanwha on July 13, 2019, when manager Lee Bum-ho's retirement ceremony was held. KIA's home opening match has been held in five years since the match against LG (22,000 people) on March 28, 2015, the match against KT (25,500 people) on March 24, 2018, and the match against LG (25,500 seats) on March 23, 2019.
It is also the 29th time since the opening of the Gwangju-KIA Champions Field in 2014 (six times in 2014, two times in 2015, two times in 2016, 10 times in 2017, six times in 2018, and two times in 2019) that a packed crowd has entered. In particular, it was more meaningful because it was the first full crowd since COVID-19.
What the fans wanted was victory. However, the process was not smooth. The mood seemed to subside as starting pitcher Will Crow was hit by a two-run shot by Choi in the top of the first inning. Nevertheless, KIA was able to gain strength thanks to its offense capability. The batters scored five points in the bottom of the first inning alone, turning the game around.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Choi Won-joon's solo shot and Socrates' timely RBI drove down Kiwoom starter Ariel Furado, taking a step closer to victory. KIA, which remained in the lead despite Crow's three runs in the top of the sixth inning, won the opening game.
KIA players who won the game did not enter the locker room.
Some players moved to the refrigerator and packed water bottles, ranging from young players to veteran players. Then, after Lee Bum-ho's interview with a broadcasting company, he sprayed water and drinks to commemorate his first win in his official debut match. Jung Hae-young, who ended the game, embraced Lee, and the rest of the players ran over to share their joy with the coach.
Players' wit also stood out. As Lee's nickname was "flower leash" during his active career, players prepared flower leashes in advance and hung them on him. Lee smiled at players' enthusiastic welcome.
It was also noteworthy that many fans stayed there for a long time even after the game was over. KIA fans who remember Lee Bum-ho's cheerleading song during his active career sang Lee's cheerleading song for the first time in a long time to match the one played by the Amp.
Coach Lee Bum-ho, who has come to take the helm amid the trust of his team, is actively communicating with the players just as he was when he was a coach. "The baseball I want to pursue as a coach is the 'laughing baseball'. I will create an atmosphere that makes players smile and have fun on the ground," Lee said at the inauguration ceremony on the 8th.
Players also feel this. Veteran Choi Hyung-woo, one of the main players in the team's victory in the opening game, said, "The mood is really good. Not bad. Individuals' ability has improved a lot, and the combination of players is not that bad, so I'm looking forward to it."
Although the main outfielder is out due to injury, KIA's atmosphere has not changed much. It remains to be seen whether KIA, which is attracting attention as a "candidate to win," will continue its current atmosphere with a fresh start with its victory in the opening game.