In the middle of LG’s change in the 2023 season, the main catcher is located. The main catcher has changed through the recruitment of a free agent (FA), and the role of the new catcher is as important as that. Park Dong-won (33), wearing a pinstripe uniform for the first time, pledged to make 토토 his first season at the perfect LG.
Park Dong-won signed a free agent contract with LG on November 21 last year for a total of 6.5 billion won over 4 years. From the 2017 season to the 2022 season, LG failed to meet Lotte’s offer for Yoo Kang-nam (31), who wore a mask as the main catcher, and quickly set the direction to recruit Park Dong-won. Yoo Kang-nam signed with Lotte for up to 8 billion won in 4 years. Interestingly, the official contract announcement was made for Park Dong-won and Yoo Kang-nam on the same day and at the same time.
On the 4th, Park Dong-won attended the club’s official New Year’s ceremony for the first time after signing the FA contract. After his New Year’s ceremony, he said, “I’m very excited to wear a new uniform like this. We still train in short sleeves and shorts at the indoor training ground in Jamsil, but it would be better if we wear uniforms together at camp later. As soon as he signed the contract and received the uniform, he was in a good mood, so he tried on the uniform at home first,” he smiled.
He also delivered a new perspective on the glossy jumper. He said, “All the LG players were wearing this glossy jumper. Other teams wear different types of jumpers, but LG has unified them. “At first, I thought this was a rule. But it wasn’t really a rule. I think it’s cool that everyone is wearing the same clothes like this.”
As much as I felt comfortable wearing new clothes, I promised to adapt quickly. After moving to KIA through trade in April of last year, he moved the team again. “In fact, I feel sorry for the KIA pitchers. During the season, he moved teams and lacked time to get to know the pitchers. It is regrettable that I would have been able to achieve better results if I knew more.” “There is time at LG. Since there is a spring camp, you will get to know each other better and fully understand the strengths and weaknesses. I will prepare well and go into the season.”
He continued, “I will look closely at the pitchers’ data. I plan to identify the pitchers with data in advance and then have a conversation while receiving the ball at camp. Then it will take less time to get used to each other,” he said. “I also heard some advice from Gangnam. Before signing the FA contract, I had an off-season workout at the same place as Gangnam, and Gangnam said, ‘LG pitchers are really good. So I was really comfortable,’ he said. Gangnam doesn’t have a contact number yet, but if he has something to ask, he plans to get it and ask.”
Park Dong-won’s image of LG is also a strong mound. Until last year, Park Dong-won said that pitching ability was the first thing that came to his mind whenever he faced LG. “It was a really tough team to turn over,” he said. The bullpen was so good that it was very difficult to win if we were pushed in the early stages. So I remember always focusing on targeting the starting pitcher.” The ball was really fast at bat, so I had to prepare well to receive it. Changes are also very good. It can be a bit tense. I will prepare well and enter the season,” he explained the camp plan.
There are many support groups. From coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop, who was with us during the Heroes days, to Huh Do-hwan, who served as catcher, and Seo Geon-chang and Kim Min-seong, he wears the same uniform as his former teammates again. Park Dong-won said, “The director is a very meticulous person. And he always looks at the players and studies them. You can’t skimp on even a small thing. “I always have to prepare diligently,” he said. He is a senior who is really good at explaining things. I think I will get a lot of help from Dohwan hyung in the upcoming season,” he gazed at the new season with familiar people.
The goal is to rise to the top. At Jamsil Stadium, a pitcher-friendly stadium, Park Dong-won has been active with an OPS of 0.928 for the past three years. He said, “Personally, there is no burden on Jamsil Stadium. I’m more of a double hitter than a single hitter. I think Jamsil Stadium is advantageous for hitting doubles. For me, it is not a big problem whether the stadium is big or small.” I have not yet won a championship after joining the pro, but I will achieve my first LG championship in 29 years.”