“I'm happy to start this season on a positive note by winning the opening game.”

Captain Gu Ja-wook (outfielder) of the Samsung Lions led the team to victory in the regular season opener with a standout performance.

Samsung won 13-5 in a home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 22nd. Hitting third as a left fielder, Gu delivered the game-winning hit in the second inning with one out and runners on first and second, and in the fifth inning, he launched a two-run homer against Jo Young-geon, finishing with 4 at-bats, 3 hits, 4 RBIs, and 3 runs scored.

After the game, Gu Ja-wook met with reporters and said, “I'm happy to start this season on a positive note by winning the opening game.” He also noted, “Today was a game where the harmony between the old and new players was well achieved. I felt once again the importance of veterans, and the younger players were in the position to be solved by us, making it a very clean game.”

Samsung, which has been attentive to fans' voices by reviving the 'Eldorado' cheer song last year, has allowed Gu to use the 'Moonlight Boy' cheer song by Cherry Filter, which he had used since his debut in the first team.

As Gu Ja-wook stepped up to the plate for his second at-bat in the second inning, 'Moonlight Boy' echoed throughout Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Perhaps that's why Gu swung his bat fiercely, producing a right-field single in the second inning, a left-field single in the fourth, and a two-run homer over the left field in the fifth.

“I thought I would come out in the first at-bat, but I didn’t. When the cheer song played in my second at-bat, I stepped up to the plate feeling good. When a photo of the old days appeared on the scoreboard, it brought back a lot of memories. I’m really grateful to the team.”

Gu has shown increased focus in scoring situations this season. He said, “I step up to the plate with the thought of making good contact without hitting any foul balls backward. I believe that mindset contributed to my performance today.”

Having suffered a ligament injury in his left knee during the second playoff game against the LG Twins last October, Gu demonstrated a proactive approach in his first game of the season. He explained, “Spring training and the regular season are definitely different. Spring training is more about checking. You need to gain confidence through that process and meet the season head-on without holding back.”

While it is just one game among 144, it seems appropriate to place significance on the opening game victory. Gu said, “Before the game, I told the players to do their best to win every single game. Just because we don’t win today doesn’t mean the world is coming to an end. After the game starts, I said we should focus for about three hours and only think about winning.”

It seems fitting to describe him as a player who thrives in real games. Gu, who wasn’t feeling particularly good about his batting practice before the game, said with a smile, “Training and actual games are truly different. I was focused from the first pitch of my first at-bat, and I became confident that good results would come today, so I approached it with confidence.”

Gu, who used to feel like his heart would burst during opening games until last year, said this year was no different from usual. What is the reason? He replied, “I think I was less tense after the full crowd during the spring training. It felt like regular season from the very beginning of the spring training. Thanks to the fans, I felt comfortable during the game without the heart-pounding sensation.”

Though he is considered a candidate for this season's MVP, he remained coy, stating, “I won’t know until the season is over.” He emphasized, “I really have no greed for individual performance. If the team does well, as the captain, I’ll be in the spotlight. I only think about the team's victory.” He expressed a desire to lead in total hits if given the chance to choose a title, saying, “I want to hit as many hits as possible.”

Once the youngest during the dynasty, he has become the heart of the Lions. He commented, “I see this as a time when we are just starting to establish ourselves as a strong team. We are becoming a better team than last year. Only good things lie ahead. If we focus on winning, more great players will emerge.”

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