Rookie infielder Yoo Dong-wook of the Kiwoom Heroes hit a home run in his first at-bat of his professional debut.
After graduating from Sangwon High School, Yoo made his professional debut this season and started as the seventh third baseman in the regular season opener against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 22nd.
Before the game, manager Hong Won-ki told reporters, "He has a very optimistic personality and shows an active attitude on the field. He won't be nervous even though it's the opening game."
He also said, "Yoo Dong-wook is a player who shows his performance in any situation. He hit home runs in the first and last games of the exhibition games. Although he had a lot of swing and misses, he always swings with strength without getting discouraged."
Yoo Dong-wook said, "Yesterday, I came to my hometown, met my parents, and felt good. When I actually came to Daegu, I felt that it was the same as the first game of the season. I have no other thoughts."
He couldn't have imagined getting an opportunity to start, but he said, "I thought it would be great to be in the starting lineup, but I felt nervous as soon as I saw the starting lineup."
Manager Hong Won-ki's evaluation was spot on. In the second inning, Yoo Dong-wook led off against Samsung starter Ariel Hurado. On a 1B-1S count, he attacked the third pitch, a fastball (146km), and sent it flying over the left-field fence. He hit the ball well enough to instinctively sense that it was a home run.
Lee Taek-keun, a commentator for SBS Sports covering the game, remarked about Yoo Dong-wook, "He's something special. He reminds me of player Kang Baek-ho (KT) from back in the day." This indicated that he left a strong first impression.
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