Nine numbers. It varies depending on the type.
The pressure felt varies greatly depending on whether it is a win, a home run, or a hit.
Hanwha’s young home run king, Noh Si-hwan, admitted that he was caught up in the ‘nine-game batting order’ of his close senior, Son Ah-seop, ahead of his first 30 home runs in his career. However, he was unable to take revenge on senior Son Ah-seop.
Son Ah-seop added a hit in the game against Changwon Lotte on the 8th, recording 149 hits and 199 doubles for the season.
For the first 8 consecutive seasons in KBO history, he had 150 hits and for the second 11 consecutive seasons, he had only 1 hit left in 200 bases.
The night before the double header against Lotte on the 9th, Son Ah-seop secretly waited for a call from Noh Si-hwan.
“Honestly, I thought I would get a call. I thought he would tell me about the number nine, but he didn’t say it first, so I didn’t say anything on purpose. I thought I would be conscious of it for no reason. Well, I haven’t received a call yet, but if I don’t get a congratulatory call, I will delete my number. Hey. (laughs)”
In the 3rd inning of the first game of the doubleheader against Lotte on the 9th, Son A-seop received a bouquet of flowers from coach Kang In-kwon after achieving 150 hits in a season and 200 bases for the second consecutive season in 11 consecutive seasons and hitting home on Martin’s timely hit. Photo provided by NC Dinos
In the 3rd inning of the first game of the doubleheader against Lotte on the 9th, Son Ah-seop takes a bow after simultaneously achieving 150 hits for the season and 200 bases for the second time in 11 consecutive seasons. Photo provided by NC Dinos안전놀이터
In the third inning of the first game of the doubleheader against Lotte on the 9th, Son A-seop simultaneously achieved 150 hits in a season and 200 bases for the second time in 11 consecutive seasons. Photo provided by NC Dinos
A hit that comes out like a meal. There were no nine moves for the ‘hit maker’.
In the second at-bat of the first game of the doubleheader on the 9th, Park Se-woong hit a left-field hit, immediately setting a record.
On the third pitch, he pushed a 144 km fastball to the finish line, recording his 150th hit and 200th base of the season.
Arriving at first base, Son Ah-seop took off his helmet and greeted the spectators who filled the first base stands. Son Ah-seop returned to the dugout after Martin’s timely hit and received enthusiastic congratulations from his teammates along with a congratulatory bouquet.
150 hits for 8 consecutive seasons. This is an unprecedented record for the first time in KBO history. A new record that surpasses Park Yong-taek’s record of 150 hits for 7 consecutive seasons (2012-2018) during his time at LG.
Following Lee Dae-ho’s record of 200 bases in consecutive seasons during his time at Lotte (2005-2011, 2017-2020), he is the second player to hit 200 bases in 11 consecutive seasons, which is also a record. If it continues until next year, it will become the new record holder.
In the third inning of the first game of the doubleheader against Lotte, Son A-seop achieved 150 hits in a season and 200 bases for the second time in 11 consecutive seasons. Photo provided by NC Dinos
Son Ah-seop, the ‘hitting master’, and ‘Youth Home Run King’ Noh Si-hwan, who exchange practical jokes despite their age difference being almost the same age.
Two players who symbolize Busan High School (A-seop Son) and Gyeongnam High School (Si-hwan Noh), two prestigious baseball schools in the Busan region. They quickly became closer through Choi Jun-yong, Son Ah-seop’s close junior and Noh Si-hwan’s junior at Gyeongnam High School by one year.
Son Ah-seop and Noh Si-hwan are now comfortable big brothers and youngest brothers.
Why did he tell his close younger brother about the nine moves?
“Si-hwan first spoke with a lot of confidence. He told me that he had no such thing, that he had no jinx, and that he didn’t know such things as nine numbers, so I said that on purpose as a joke, but it really turned out to be nine numbers.”
Son Ah-seop’s testimony. Even though it was a joke, I can’t hide my feeling of regret. Then he adds a word full of affection.
“What is certain is that I think hitting 30 home runs with this official ball’s repulsion power is truly amazing. Considering that the official ball’s repulsion power was good for a long time, I think 30 home runs now feels like 50 home runs. (After surpassing 30 home runs, ) I contacted you back then to congratulate you, but now that you’ve mentioned it again, I want to tell you once again that you are truly amazing.”
A simple compliment from a typical ‘tsundere’ cool older brother. Make Noh Si-hwan dance.
In fact, my junior is constantly provoking me.
Noh Si-hwan provoked Son Ah-seop, the hitter last year, by asking him to bet on batting average. A bet that seemed ridiculous. The results were shocking.
While Noh Si-hwan recorded a career-high batting average of .302, Son Ah-seop hit only .277 in a career-low season since 2010, when he became a starter. Son Ah-seop lost the bet. He bought me the shoes he promised without saying anything.
Noh Si-hwan, who gained momentum, shouted ‘Go’ again this season.
Son Ah-seop, who was preparing for the season of pride. Of course I accepted it. A tireless struggle day and night for a comeback. It worked.
In his second prime, he is competing to be the batting king and hitting king. As of the 9th, Son Ah-seop is ranked second in batting after SSG Heredia with 3.338 li. It is quite a distance for Noh Si-hwan (0.302) to overturn.
“Last year, Si-hwan taunted me by saying that he would have a higher batting average than me. But I actually lost. My pride was hurt. But I decided to make another bet this season. I made another bet, and I didn’t let down my guard until the end of the season. “I’ll peck you.”
Noh Si-hwan hit 30 home runs with nine hits. It is highly likely that he will become the first home run king since his debut, but it seems likely that he will at least lose his batting average bet with senior Son Ah-seop. I think I need to prepare a gift for senior Son Ah-seop’s shoes this time.