The first home run at Hanwha Eagles' new home stadium, Hanwha Life Baseball Park in Daejeon, came from the first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. Kim Tae-yeon (28), who has been the leadoff hitter for two consecutive games, became the first player to hit a home run at the new stadium.
Kim Tae-yeon started as the leadoff left fielder in the exhibition game against the Samsung Lions at Hanwha Life Baseball Park in Daejeon on the 17th, and hit a home run right from the first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning.
Facing Samsung's left-handed starter Baek Jung-hyun, Kim Tae-yeon connected on the sixth pitch at a 2 balls-2 strikes count, smashing a fastball that came in at 139 km/h over the left-center field fence. The distance was 120 meters, marking his first home run of the exhibition season.
The first home run in an official game at Hanwha Life Baseball Park, a long-held wish of Daejeon fans, came from Hanwha's first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. It was a pleasant start for Hanwha. This could also be a moment for Kim Tae-yeon to solidify his position in the leadoff spot.
On the previous day (16th), Kim Tae-yeon also started as the leadoff hitter in the exhibition game against NC in Changwon, achieving 1 hit in 3 at-bats with 1 RBI, 1 walk, multiple reaches, and successfully stealing a base.
Carrying the momentum, Kim Tae-yeon exploded with a home run right from the first at-bat of the day, fulfilling the 'aggressive baseball' that manager Kim Kyung-moon ordered.
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