For 20 years he has served as the Director General of cheering at the Lotte Giants professional baseball team, shouting himself hoarse — Director General Jo Ji-hoon. He has stitched V3 onto his uniform and more than anyone wishes for Lotte's third championship, but will he actually get to see that moment?
On the 22nd at the Sajik Doosan game, Lotte held a ceremony to mark Director General Jo Ji-hoon's 20th anniversary. To commemorate Director General Jo Ji-hoon's 20 years of records guarding the cheering platform at Sajik Stadium since 2006, Lotte displayed 20 photos from 2006 onward near the third-floor main entrance. And before the game that day, they held a fan signing event with 100 fans selected by lottery. They also performed the ceremonial first pitch before the game.
During the inning-change break, a tribute video dedicated to Director General Jo Ji-hoon was shown, followed by a chorus of fans chanting Director General Jo Ji-hoon's name in unison. Eventually Director General Jo Ji-hoon burst into tears on the cheering platform after holding them back. And as always, he led the fans to the end, shouting himself hoarse while directing the cheering.
Before the game, Director General Jo Ji-hoon told reporters, "I think I am enjoying such a good day thanks to all of you," and added, "When I first came to Busan I didn't think I would do this for so long. But as each game and each season passed, the fans, the players and the club staff all supported and showed interest, so I was able to continue."
He added, "Isn't it everyone's wish? I want to see our Lotte win and show itself as a good team, so I think that's why I can keep doing this for so long," and stressed, "My dream is to see Lotte's third championship. To do that, I think I have to take care of my health and keep showing up on the cheering platform and working hard without change."
He went on, "I really have a goal to retire the moment Lotte wins. Having that goal makes me feel alive. I don't think it's impossible. Because the players are surely working hard, I think that moment will come."
But the players, whether unaware of Director General Jo Ji-hoon's hopes and wishes or not, suffered another listless defeat. The lineup had eight hits but again was silent with runners in scoring position, producing only one run. Above all, there should have been a will to try anything, but they failed to show that determination. Even Kim Jin-wook, who was called 'Sajik Scuba,' lost his momentum. He took the loss after allowing three runs in five innings.
On what should have been a moving and monumental day for Lotte players, they suffered a hollow and listless defeat, falling into a five-game losing streak and plunging to last place alone. Of the 19,425 spectators, many left as runs continued to be allowed in the late innings. But Director General Jo Ji-hoon stayed to the end, urging the players on, shouting himself hoarse.
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