He forgot about the shocking half-salary cut and departure from spring camp alone. ‘
Genius hitter’ Kang Baek-ho (25-KT Wiz) has completed his contract early and has begun preparations to restore his honor.
Kang, who turned pro in the 2018 season, tasted the bitter taste of a salary cut for the first time in his career ahead of the 2023 season.
After earning 120 million won in his second year, 210 million won in his third year, 310 million won in his fourth year, and 550 million won in his fifth year, Kang injured his toe and hamstring in the 2022 season, leaving him with a batting average of 2.245 with six home runs and 29 RBIs in 62 games, a staggering 47.3 percent cut.
The salary negotiation process was not smooth. Unable to resolve his disagreements with KT, the two sides ran parallel to the eve of spring training, and Kang didn’t put his stamp on the contract until the morning of Jan. 29, when the main team departed for spring training.
Two days later, on Jan. 31, he traveled alone to Tucson, Arizona, the site of the spring training camp.
Baekho Kang came into spring training more motivated than ever, but various controversies hindered his comeback.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March last year was the beginning of his misfortune.
In the first game against Australia, which was considered a watershed moment to reach the quarterfinals, he was criticized for his so-called ‘serenading’.
After hitting a double and facing the third base dugout during an in-play situation, his foot momentarily left the second base and he was tagged out by the second baseman’s glove.
Just two months after his controversial gesture, Kang disappointed baseball fans with another boneheaded play.
On May 18, he caught Kim Hyun-soo’s hit with no outs in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Jamsil LG Electronics baseball game and made a parabolic play to break a 3-3 tie.
Kang eventually complained of extreme mental stress and took a complete break from the game in June and August.
After recovering, he returned to the first team on September 5, and his monthly batting average of 3.33 pounds, 3 ounces announced the return of the genius.
Kang finally got his smile back as he headed to the Hangzhou Asian Games and won the gold medal he so desperately wanted. 카지노사이트777
With his mental illness cured, Kang prepared for the postseason with more enthusiasm than any other athlete, dreaming of a second ring.
However, his motivation got the better of him, and he tore his right adductor muscle while swinging in his own blue-and-white game in preparation for the playoffs. “
I told him not to hit so hard, but…” said Lee Kang-chul at the time.
According to KT officials, Kang Baek-ho completed his salary negotiations for the new season without much noise, unlike last year.
Kang Baek-ho put his stamp on the contract early, and his salary is reportedly similar to last year’s (290 million won).
He was expected to take a pay cut in 2023 as well after batting just .265 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs in 71 games, but KT focused on the resurgence of their franchise star and genius hitter rather than his visible performance.
Despite the absence of Kang Baek-ho, KT still managed to finish as runners-up in the Korean Series last year, but the offense was often lethargic due to a weakened and aging center field.
Park Byung-ho, Anthony Alford, Hwang Jae-gyun, and other center fielders stepped up, but they couldn’t completely fill the void left by Kang Baek-ho. “
There is a big difference between having Kang Baek-ho in the lineup and not having him,” said Lee Kang-chul.
He is a hitter who can make pitchers nervous,” Lee said, adding that he missed the genius hitter.
After bringing back former MVP Mel Rojas Jr. in 2024, KT aims to win its second title with a strong cleanup trio.
Kang Baek-ho needs to be revived to create synergy with Park Byung-ho, Rojas, and Hwang Jae-gyun.
All eyes will be on Kang Baek-ho in the 2024 season, as he once again calls for a return to form.
