After two years of disappointing Lotte fans following a large free-agent contract, Yoo Kang-nam (33) promised to deliver performance worthy of his value in his third year of the contract.
The starting catcher for the Lotte Giants of the Korea Professional Baseball League, Yoo Kang-nam, met with reporters during team training held at Tanoh Sports Park Baseball Field in Miyazaki, Japan, on the 24th and expressed his apologies to Lotte fans while pledging a comeback.
Yoo Kang-nam, who was a one-club man with the LG Twins, exercised his free-agent rights ahead of the 2023 season and signed a massive contract with Lotte worth an aggregate of 8 billion won (40 billion won signing bonus, 3.4 billion won salary, 600 million won options). After Kang Min-ho left for the Samsung Lions, Lotte, which had been struggling with catching issues, made a significant investment in Yoo Kang-nam as the new owner of the Sajik home.
Contrary to expectations, Yoo Kang-nam's life in Busan was a series of hardships. In his first year, he had a batting average of .261 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs over 121 games, which fell short of expectations, and in the 2024 season, he struggled with a .191 batting average, 5 home runs, and 20 RBIs over 52 games before suffering an injury to his left knee that led to his exclusion from the first-team roster in June.
In mid-July, Yoo Kang-nam underwent sutures on the medial meniscus of his left knee and faced the pain of being out for the season. It was a major surgery that required a rehabilitation period of 7 months.
Yoo Kang-nam said, "I have nothing to say even with ten mouths. What more words can be needed?" He added, "I believe the only way to repay the fans is through my performance. Even if I try to explain and make excuses to the fans, would they appreciate it? There’s no choice but to show it at the ballpark. I am currently training with that mindset, and I have a great desire to make up for it."
Putting behind the pain of poor performance and injuries, Yoo Kang-nam diligently followed his rehabilitation program to meet the expectations of Giants fans. To avoid stressing his operated knee, he remarkably lost 13 kg. This was a promising sign of Yoo Kang-nam's determination to bounce back.
Looking noticeably slimmer, Yoo Kang-nam stated, "I feel a sense of achievement about myself. I’ve really lost a lot of weight. You could say I’m at almost my lowest weight." He continued, "I definitely feel lighter, and it seems like the burden on my body has decreased. Now that I’m playing, I think I’ll feel the weight loss even more. I plan to maintain this weight and gradually lose a bit more each year."
After intense efforts, Yoo Kang-nam joined the first phase of the spring camp in Taiwan and restored his original form by hitting multi-hits in intra-squad games. In the second phase of the spring camp currently underway in Miyazaki, Japan, he is quickly raising his pace and even made a hit in a substitute appearance against the Seibu Lions on the 23rd.
Regarding his hit against Seibu, Yoo Kang-nam explained, "I had prepared since the Taiwan camp and felt that I was well-prepared, so I trusted myself and swung at the first pitch. I could have felt a bit anxious and confused, but I believed in myself because I had prepared well with the coaches. I thought that if I felt anxious, the results wouldn’t come out well, so I entered the batter's box with a mindset to swing boldly."
So, what is Yoo Kang-nam's current knee condition? He said, "My knee doesn’t hurt, but the pain hasn’t completely disappeared. I’m adapting well." He added, "Since it was a surgical area, I’m cautious, and I am conscious of it when I squat. However, a lot of time has passed. I try to do as much strength training as possible whenever I have a chance. I will prepare well so that the coach won’t worry about me."
Entering his third year of the free-agent contract, Yoo Kang-nam's goal is to quickly absorb the orders of 'catcher's trainer' manager Kim Tae-hyung and play a perfect full-time season without injuries.
Yoo Kang-nam emphasized, "I am trying to fit as closely as possible to the baseball our manager pursues. Of course, there are aspects that do not match the manager's style, but I have somewhat grasped his aggressive tendencies and realized the importance of dynamic responses according to situations. Even watching baseball on TV after my injury, I could feel these aspects. I must catch the manager's requirements well."
He further stated, "This year, my personal goal is to avoid injuries and finish the season well. I don’t think it's appropriate to list any figures in my current situation. Last year, I set such goals and ended up with a significant injury. If I can finish a season without any injuries, I think I can give myself a high score. I can say this because I am well-prepared."