"I'm not a flashy star player...".
In that calm remark, the time he had walked was fully reflected.
Samsung Lions outfielder Kim Heon-gon set the KBO League's 189th all-time 1,000-game appearance record on the 1st at the Daegu Hanwha Eagles game. It is the result of time filled with consistency instead of flashy epithets.
After passing through Jeju Tourism High School and Yeungnam University and donning the Samsung uniform in 2011, Kim Heon-gon was far from being the team's 'star'. But he was more diligent than anyone and a player who quietly fulfilled his role. He filled the spots the team needed while moving between starter and backup, and for a long time was a 'pillar' that supported the team.
About the 1,000-game appearance record, he said, "I feel like I've been plodding along and have done a lot," and "I'm not a flashy star player, but I hope future players feel positive when they see what I do."
That day Samsung escaped a losing streak with a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Hanwha. Kim Heon-gon also put meaning on the team's victory. He said, "We've had a string of tough games recently, so it's a relief to win. Especially winning on the first day of May should make the fans happy."
He added, "The recent results haven't been good, but the manager and coaches are creating a good atmosphere. Even without being told, the players must be feeling a lot," conveying the team's mood.
Records are not the only thing that matters. The current form is good, too. Kim Heon-gon has a .356 batting average (45 at-bats, 16 hits) with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored in 23 games this season. His batting average over the last 10 games reaches .407 (27 at-bats, 11 hits).
He cited the advice of 'living legend' Choi Hyung-woo (outfielder) and hitting coach Park Han-yi as the background of his upswing.
Kim Heon-gon explained, "Lately hyung (Choi) Hyung-woo has given me a lot of good advice, so I've tried to get hints, and coach (Park) Han-yi also gave me a lot of help," adding, "These aspects seem to allow me to see pitches more comfortably in the batter's box these days."
A player who remains for a long time even if not flashy. Kim Heon-gon's 1,000 games were the result of that kind of time.
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