Thirteen years have passed since Jang Hyo-jo, the late former coach of the Samsung Lions, who was dubbed the “master of hitting” when he was active. Today (July 7) marks the 13th anniversary of Jang’s death.
Former manager Jang Hyo-jo, who died of liver cancer on September 7, 2011, is the best school hitter representing Korean professional baseball. Former manager Jang Hyo-jo, who joined Samsung in 1983 after serving in Daegu Sang High School and Hanyang University, played in 964 games in the first division with a batting average of .33 (4,008 hits in 3050 at-bats) with 54 homers, 437 RBIs, 485 runs and 110 steals.
He became the batting champion four times in 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1987. The only former coach to be the batting champion for the third consecutive year, which he recorded from 1985 to 1987, is Jang Hyo-jo. Starting with 373 in 1985, Jang built a three-game hitting streak with 329 percent in 1986, and 388 in 1987. His on-base percentage, which ranks first six times in total, is recognized for its value just like hitting. Notably, he ranked first in on-base percentage for five consecutive years from 1983 to 1987.
“I learned a lot from my seniors while playing baseball with Jang Hyo-jo,” said Lee Man-soo, a former SK Wyverns coach who played with Jang Hyo-jo, an alumnus of Daegu Middle School, Daegu Sango, and Hanyang University and also played with Samsung. In particular, Jang Hyo-jo’s batting was so sophisticated and artistic that I couldn’t close my mouth when I was watching him from the side. He said, “He must be a great senior, and he is a player who hits so delicately that he can use a bat for months.” 메이저사이트
“By comparison, I was a full swing player who broke several bats every day. In particular, if you break two or three bats in a game, Jang Hyo-jo plays with only one bat for almost a month,” he added.
Former coach Lee Man-soo praised Jang’s thorough self-management. “As a junior, I naturally learned about Jang’s thorough self-management by watching him from the side. I tend to practice individually enough to be called a practice bug, but Jang Hyo-jo also practices tremendously in places where no one has seen me,” he said.
When Samsung’s home stadium was moved from Daegu Civic Baseball Stadium to Daegu Samsung Lions Park in 2016, there were moves to build a bust of former coach Jang Hyo-jo. There were many opinions that it would be better to make a bust using 3D printer technology and put it at the entrance of the baseball stadium. However, discussions ended without success.
Game 15 of the season between Samsung and NC Dinos will be held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 7th. We hope that there will be a moment to remember the legend, such as displaying a memorial video of former coach Jang Hyo-jo through the electronic display before the game.