Former Samsung Lions outfielder Song Jun-seok said goodbye to his fans after being informed that he would not be re-signed by the club on March 25.
Song, who hit a double to left-center off Japanese national team starter Shohei Ohtani in 2012 during his youth national team days at Jangchungo, began his professional career in 2003 after being drafted in the fourth round by Samsung. In 105 games with the first team, he batted 2-for-33 (44-for-189) with four home runs, 17 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
On Feb. 16, Song recorded his first career cycling hit in a self-evaluation game at a camp in Okinawa, Japan.
Starting in the No. 7 spot in left field for the Blue Team, Song got things started with a triple to center field in the second inning. In the fourth inning, with runners on first and second, he doubled to center field. He doubled up the middle with two outs in the fifth, his third hit of the game, and completed his cycling hit in the sixth with a one-run home run over the right field fence.
Song is now 2-for-5 (2-for-8) with one RBI in seven games this season.
“During my career, I was able to stay together with good seniors and juniors and endure difficult days, and above all, I was able to finish my career without giving up even when I wanted to give up because of the fans’ unwavering and unwavering support,” Song Jun-seok said on his Instagram on Aug. 8.
Song Jun-seok, who will begin the second act of his baseball career as a coach instead of extending his playing career, said, “I’m starting a new life as a coach instead of a player, which I’ve been doing since elementary school. I would like to ask you to continue to support the Samsung Lions in the future.” 캡틴토토 도메인
“I sincerely thank you for your support and wish you a warm year-end in 2023,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Samsung has removed Song Jun-seok, Noh Gun-woo, Park Se-woong, Jang Ji-hoon, Kim Yong-ha, Kim Jun-woo, Meng Sung-joo, Park Yong-min (pitchers), Kim Ho-jae, Lee Tae-hoon, and Yoon Jung-hoon (infielders) from the disabled list.
“Considering the current roster composition and future developmental aspects, we decided not to re-sign 11 players,” the club said.