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| ▲ This photo shows Kim Ha-seong receiving the Special Player of the Year Award at the 2021 Cho-A Pharm. Pro Baseball Grand Prize ceremony. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo shows Kim Ha-seong after receiving the Special Player of the Year Award at the 2021 Cho-A Pharm. Pro Baseball Grand Prize ceremony. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- “Every day felt like ‘first’ day,” said Kim Ha-seong (26) of San Diego Padres looking back on 2021.
Even to the South Korea’s representative infieldman, the first year of the Big League was unfamiliar.
Kim received the Special Player of the Year Award at the 2021 Cho-A Pharm. Pro Baseball Grand Prize ceremony (co-held by Cho-A Pharmaceutical and The Daily Sports) which took place at The Plaza Hotel in Sogong-dong Seoul Wednesday.
“It wouldn’t be a lie to say, ‘It wasn’t tough.’ Every day felt like first day to me,” said Kim.
The South Korean infielder signed a 4+1 years of deal with up to 39 million dollars of payment on January 1st (KST). Since then Kim has stayed in this year’s league.
But he didn’t get many opportunities to stand on the ground as the team included super star players such as Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado
Kim played in 177 games for the season and recorded 267 bats, 54 hits (BA 0.202), 27 scores and 6 base stealing.
There were a lot of memorable scenes.
Kim started the home-game against Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park in San Diego, California on April 4th and marked 4 bats, 2 hits, 1 run and a strikeout. He also recorded his personal first hit and run as a major leaguer that day.
Also, he made his first big-league home-run when playing against Texas Rangers on April 11th.
His defense ability is noteworthy as well. Kim showed great defense as a shortstop, third base and second base man as well.
There were moments of him joyfully making ceremonies with the fellow San Diego players at the dugouts.
“The team’s atmosphere is cheerful. I did the ceremonies together swept by that air,” said Kim.
The rookie infielder seeks for a leap.
“I received many advises from around. But in the end, I have to face it myself and do well. I got a lot of love and cheers from the Korean fans. Based on this year’s experiences, I will be a better player next year,” said Kim.
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