Ko Sung-min, pitcher for the Lotte Giants, achieved a significant milestone by hitting his second double-digit home run season in two years. He accomplished this by launching a go-ahead, bases-clearing home run in the seventh inning against the NC Dinos on July 15th at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. This pivotal hit propelled his team to an 8-5 victory.
Ko Sung-min’s Game-Changing Homer
The crucial moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Giants trailing 3-4. With runners on first and second base, Ko Sung-min stepped up to the plate. He connected with a 145 km/h fastball from NC pitcher Kim Jin-ho, sending the ball over the fence for a dramatic three-run homer. This blast marked his 10th home run of the current season, signifying his return to double-digit home runs for the first time since 2014, when he hit 14.
Ko Sung-min’s achievement places him in select company within the Lotte Giants franchise. He is the 13th player in the team’s history to record a double-digit home run season. Notably, Park Jung-tae accomplished this feat three times, while Ahn Chi-hong (now with the Kiwoom Heroes) and Andy Burns each did it once before Ko Sung-min. His current season’s performance highlights a strong resurgence.
Ko Sung-min Reflects on His Performance
Reflecting on the game-changing hit, Ko Sung-min commented on the pitch itself. “Kim Jin-ho’s pitch was very good. I’ve faced him many times before without much success,” he stated. “I decided to swing at the first pitch, whether it was a ball or a strike, if it was in the zone. I think the timing was just right, and it went over the fence.” Before his home run, Ko Sung-min’s stats against Kim Jin-ho in that game included 7 plate appearances, 4 RBIs, no hits, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout.
Ko Sung-min acknowledged that his pursuit of the home run might have led to some overexertion. “I might have put too much effort into it, leading to some mistakes,” he admitted. “When I hit a home run, I sometimes tend to overswing without realizing it. However, the manager and coaches talk to me about it after every at-bat, so I try not to do that. I think that effort is paying off well.”
Shifting Focus Beyond Home Runs
Despite the significant achievement, Ko Sung-min expressed a desire to move past the focus on home runs. “I wasn’t thinking about reaching double-digit home runs,” he said. “After hitting a home run, I try to forget about it the next day. On the following day, I focus on my at-bats, not on records, and think about how to battle the opposing pitcher.”
He emphasized his new goal: “I don’t need any more home runs now. I feel like I’ve hit enough. Going forward, I want to hit more line drives and contribute to the team.” This statement signals a shift in his approach, prioritizing consistent contact and team support over the pursuit of individual power statistics.
Challenges in a Difficult Game
The game itself was marked by unusual circumstances. Played on a wet field due to rain, the match saw numerous errors and sloppy play from both sides. Even plays that might typically result in outs were complicated by the conditions.
Ko Sung-min himself had an opportunity to end the game in the fourth inning with a bases-loaded situation but made an unfortunate throwing error. Starting pitcher Han Tae-yang, who began the game as a third baseman, also committed two throwing errors, leading to his mid-game substitution.
Player Accountability and Mental Fortitude
Ko Sung-min shared his thoughts on the team’s overall performance, despite the win. “Even though we won, I feel a bit uneasy,” he confessed. “The game was indeed messy today. The errors stemmed from a lack of concentration. The ground conditions were the same for both teams, but all our players lacked focus. The humid weather might have contributed, but we need to reflect and do better.”
Addressing his own fielding error, Ko Sung-min took responsibility. “I saw the runner was slow, so I tried to throw it gently, but it was a mistake. It was all my fault for not throwing properly,” he stated, underscoring the importance of self-reflection and learning from mistakes.
He reiterated the need to focus on the next play, regardless of past errors. “You don’t make errors on purpose. What’s done is done. I hope we don’t make the same mistakes again and learn from them,” Ko Sung-min advised. He also noted a positive interaction with teammate Han Tae-yang, who also struggled with errors. “I talked a lot with Han Tae-yang today. He has good mental strength. Even when he was taken out of the game, he was still cheering us on enthusiastically, which was good to see.” This highlights the team’s effort to maintain morale despite individual setbacks.
Looking Ahead: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
With the season progressing towards the autumn playoffs, Ko Sung-min stressed the importance of tangible results over mere discussion. “I hope we stop just talking about the autumn baseball season. I believe all players need to act, work hard, identify areas for improvement, train diligently, and move forward,” he urged.
His concluding remarks emphasized a game-by-game approach: “I hope we focus on one game at a time, rather than looking too far ahead.” This philosophy underscores a commitment to consistent effort and performance, game after game, as the team aims for success in the latter half of the season.
