Park Min-jun, 23, competing for the backup position in the Bears catching kingdom, impressed manager Lee Seung-yeop with his relentless spirit and decisive stolen base prevention.

On the 22nd, Park Min-jun entered the practice game against the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball at Nango Stadium in Ichinansi, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, and contributed to the team's first practice game victory of 5-4 with his strong defense.

In the bottom of the sixth, Park Min-jun stepped onto the field as a substitute for starting catcher Ryu Hyun-jun, forming a battery with Lee Young-ha, Kim Ho-jun, Hong Geon-hee, and Kim Taek-yeon in succession.

The highlight was the final inning. In the bottom of the ninth, with Doosan narrowly leading 5-4, Kim Taek-yeon, who took the mound, faced lead-off batter Montel and unexpectedly allowed a bunt hit, putting a runner on first base with no outs. Montel then attempted to steal second base while the next batter was at the plate, but Park Min-jun made a quick and accurate throw to second to get the runner out. It was a golden stolen base prevention that eliminated the tying runner.

Kim Taek-yeon, whose expression brightened, closed the game with a groundout of the last batter in the 2 out, 1 runner situation brought on by Nishikawa's hit, securing the 5-4 victory.

Earlier, Park Min-jun experienced considerable pain when he was hit by a ball on his collarbone in the bottom of the sixth but persevered through to the ninth inning. This was why his stolen base prevention received even greater applause.

After the game, Park Min-jun was selected as the first recipient of the Hustle Play Award, newly established by Doosan this year. Manager Lee Seung-yeop praised Park Min-jun's tenacity and decisive stolen base prevention, personally presenting him with the award in front of the team.

Doosan holds an awards ceremony for outstanding players every spring training after a victory in practice games. Initially, only an MVP, Outstanding Hitter, and Outstanding Pitcher were selected, but starting this year, Manager Lee Seung-yeop and the coaching staff collaborated with the front office to add the Hustle Play Award. This award is for players who demonstrate Doosan's trademark 'hustle' without holding back on the field from spring training.

A Doosan official noted, "Park Min-jun made a crucial stolen base prevention in the ninth inning with no outs, showing stable defensive performance by catching several falling curveballs in the eighth and ninth innings."

Park Min-jun stated, "It is always a joy to receive an award, but it's particularly an honor since this is a new category that is being awarded for the first time this year. I will think of it as encouragement to lead pitchers better as a catcher," adding, "I was already cautious because Japanese professional baseball teams are very aggressive. When I prevented the stolen base, it was as exhilarating as being drafted. I will work hard to create similar moments in the future."

Park Min-jun, a resource behind the plate drafted 79th overall in the 8th round by Doosan in the 2023 rookie draft after graduating from Yongma High School and Donggang University, made his first appearance in the first team last year as a rookie, playing in 5 games and posting a batting average of .237 with 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, and 9 runs in 47 games in the Futures League. He is currently in a fierce competition for the third catcher spot behind Yang Eui-ji and Kim Ki-yeon in this spring camp.