Changwon NC Park on the 26th. KIA Tigers coach Kim Jong-kook, who met ahead of the NC Dinos match, tried hard to smile. But it’s been a long time since the heart became charcoal. Key batter Na Sung-bum (34) and fielder Choi Hyung-woo (40) were out for the season due to injuries.
Na Sung-beom injured his left hamstring (back muscle of thigh) while tagging up during a sacrifice fly after hitting a two-run timely hit against the LG Twins in Gwangju on the 19th. As a result of the diagnosis, he was ruled out for the season after being diagnosed with a three-month rehabilitation due to a ruptured hamstring. In the match against KT Wiz in Gwangju on the 24th, Choi Hyung-woo was diagnosed with a four-month collarbone fracture after tripping over the foot of the first baseman during the running process. It’s all happened for a week.
Na Sung-bum, who failed to join the opening entry due to a left calf injury, joined in late June and recorded a batting average of 365 (81 hits in 222 times at bat), 16 home runs, 57 RBIs and 1.098 OPS in 58 games. In 121 games, Choi had a batting average of .302ri (130 hits in 431 times at bat), 17 home runs, 81 RBIs, and an OPS of .887. The two players, who combined with 33 home runs and 138 RBIs, were ruled out for the season at the most important moment. For KIA, it is bound to be devastated. Pimali’s fifth-round competition is not over yet, but the outlook is bleak. Coach Kim also expressed concern, saying, “I want to focus on saving mobility rather than hitting a long drive.” 토토
Na Sung-beom Choi Hyung-woo’s influence is not just a record. Na Sung-beom helped his junior Kim Do-young strengthen his physical strength and establish a routine during the injury rehabilitation process, helping to create a foundation for his strong performance this season. With exemplary life and thorough self-management, he has become a model for juniors. Choi Hyung-woo also played a reliable big brother, helping captain Kim Sun-bin and leading the atmosphere. The empty seats of the two players are inevitably felt.
On the side of the KIA dugout ahead of the NC match, a uniform with Na Sung-beom Choi Hyung-woo’s name and back number was hung. The KIA team decided to play with the two players’ uniforms throughout the remaining regular season games. An official from KIA explained, “It means that the team will be together until the end of this season.”
KIA, which faced its biggest crisis at the most important moment of this season, has lost its two central points, and the atmosphere has become darker and darker. However, in the moment of crisis, the team’s unity seems to be greater than ever.
Meanwhile, Choi Hyung-woo successfully completed a clavicle fixation surgery that took place at a club-designated hospital in Gwangju on the same day. An official from KIA said, “I felt considerable pain in my breathing, but the surgery was fortunately completed well.”