A strong reaction to a junior who surpasses his record for most saves...Son Seung-rak and Kim Won-joong met after 3 years
"Our (Kim) Wonjoong has grown a lot."
A long-haired player entered the southern league dugout during the match between the southern and northern leagues of the "2023 Professional Baseball Futures All-Star Game" at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 14th.
It was Lotte Giants closer Kim Won-joong. Kim Won-joong greeted Sangmu coach Park Chi-wang and immediately stood in front of KIA's second-tier coach Son Seung-rak. Director Son Seung-rak was surprised by the unexpected appearance, but he immediately hugged Kim Won-joong in joy.
And he pulled Kim Won-joong's long hair and played with it, followed by headlock to express his welcome.
Son Seung-rak made 94 saves for four seasons from 2016 to 2019, perfectly locking Lotte's back door, and has been living as a second-tier coach in Kia since his retirement. Kim Won-joong, who was a little kid when Son Seung-rak was the oldest, became Lotte's closer after Son Seung-rak.
Head coach Son Seung-rak is playing around by grabbing Kim Won-joong by the neck.
Kia's second-tier coach Son Seung-rak looks at Kim Won-joong, who is about to break his Lotte Giants 94 saves.
Lotte's Kim Won-joong acts cute in front of director Son Seung-rak.
Lotte Giants' Kim Won-joong added two saves, surpassing Son Seung-rak's club's maximum save of 94.
The two were in the dugout for a short time, but as they continued their conversation, they smiled and looked back on the past. Coach Son Seung-rak touched Kim Won-joong's face and showed pride in Kim Won-joong, who grew up with Lotte's strong finish.
Meanwhile, the Northern League, where Kim Bum-seok (LG) was active with two hits (one home run) and four RBIs and one run in four at-bats in the Futures All-Star Game, won 9-7 against the Southern League.