Only 7 home runs in the regular season and post season. Nevertheless, the impact is not as good as any other ‘home run hitter’. This is the story of Lim Ji-yeol (28, Kiwoom Heroes), who gives the team a ‘oriental medicine’ at the moment they need it the most.
In the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League Lotte Giants match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 28th, Lim Ji-yeol hit a come-from-behind final home run in the bottom of the 8th inning with 2 outs loaded with bases 3-5, leading the team to a 7-5 victory. has become
Lim Ji-yeol, who first stepped on the first team stage in 2019, is a ‘backup player’ who has played in 94 first-team stage games (regular season) until today’s game. Although he has been spending more time in the first team since last year, he still has not been able to secure a starting position.
However, since last year, he has been imprinting his name by hitting ‘clutch home runs’ several times. He drew attention by hitting one home run in each of the semi-playoffs, playoffs, and Korean series in the postseason stage, which he stepped on for the first time last year.
This season is similar. On the 12th, against the NC Dinos, he made another strong impact with a home run that went over the left fence at the end of the 9th inning, with 1 company, 1st and 2nd bases against 4-4. This home run was Lim Ji-yeol’s best home run of the season.
In addition, in this game, he proved his worth again by hitting a come-from-behind home run. Until this day, Kiwoom won all three games in which Lim Ji-yeol hit a home run.
Lim Ji-yeol, who we met after the game, smiled shyly, saying, “I must have star qualities.”
When asked which of the postseason home run, walk-off home run, and grand slam home run was the most thrilling, he smiled and said, “All three were equally good.”
“I always prepare the same and try to do only what I can,” he said.
It was a home run that was difficult to predict even for the one who hit the home run. In the 2 outs and bases loaded game, the opposing pitcher is Yoon Myeong-jun, whose main weapon is the curveball. Lim Ji-yeol was also thinking of a curveball, but the ball that turned into a home run with 2 balls and 1 strike was a fastball with a speed of 140 km/h.
Lim Ji-yeol said, “I knew that the breaking ball was a good pitcher, but somehow I hit a fast ball and it became a home run.”
Taking a starting position in the first team is the top priority, but Lim Ji-yeol thought of the team’s performance first.안전놀이터
Lim Ji-yeol said, “Recently, the team’s performance has been poor, so the dugout atmosphere has been down, but I hope that today’s game will rebound.” I will do it,” he promised.