The start of the 2022 season of Lotte Giants Han Dong-hee was splendid. After the opening, he swung a fire bat with a batting average of 0.427 (38 hits in 89 at-bats), 7 homers, 22 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.249 in 24 games for the month of April, and won the honor of the first monthly MVP in his debut. He looked like he would completely break the shell of a promising player and become a top-class player in the league beyond Lotte.
However, in the aftermath of a hamstring injury in early May, his good hitting feeling began to falter. His final performance of the season was 0.307 batting average, 14 homers, 65 RBIs, and OPS 0.817.
Because of this, Han Dong-hee returned the break after the end of the 2022 season. He started preparing for the 2023 season early, sweating all winter, and earlier this month, he went to Guam with his senior teammate Jung Hoon and is digesting his personal training.
Han Dong-hee said, “In 2020, before joining the spring camp with seniors Lee Dae-ho and Jung-hoon, I did individual training in Saipan and got good results, and this year, I am building my body with senior Jung-hoon in Guam.” It’s great. I believe that everything will work out and if I do my best, I believe that I will be able to achieve good results, and I am preparing.” 헤라카지노
After failing to advance to the postseason for the past five years, Lotte has undergone a massive reinforcement of power ahead of this season. It is considered a dark horse for the 2023 season as it recruited three outside free agents: catcher Kang-Nam Yoo, infielder Jin-Hyeok Noh, and pitcher Hyun-Hee Han.
However, Han Dong-hee’s role is important for Lotte to advance to the final 5. In a situation where the weight of the center batting line is inevitably reduced due to the retirement of the team’s legend Lee Dae-ho, Han Dong-hee must show the aspect of ‘post-Lee Dae-ho’. Lee Dae-ho also asked Han Dong-hee at his retirement ceremony to ‘become a hero for Lotte fans’.
First of all, Han Dong-hee said, “Every time I hear that I have to become senior Lee Dae-ho’s successor, I feel very honored and think that I must do so. There is no pressure.” I thought a lot that I had to do better so that it wouldn’t happen,” he emphasized.
◆ Question to Rabbit players
Q. This year is my year! Which two rabbits do you want to catch this season?
“The first is team performance. I think Lotte must enter the top 5 this year. Good players have joined as free agents, but if I do well, Lotte can definitely go to a higher place, and I am preparing a lot. Fans I will do my best to show you a good image.”
“Second, I want to achieve better individual results than last year. Then, I believe that the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games will come naturally. It is a great honor to be able to represent the country wearing the Taegeuk mark. To go to the national team, it is really I motivate myself because I have to do well.”
Q. Kyoto Three Caves (狡兎三窟), the clever rabbit digs three burrows. My three keywords this season.
“First of all, I think taking care of my body is important. I was very sorry that I was injured during a good season in April of last year. I am trying to make a solid body that is not injured.”
“The second is weight management. It is important to maintain the current weight until the end of the season. I think the best weight for me was when I received the monthly MVP in the 2022 season. “
“The last thing is accuracy in hitting. My batting form has been the one I feel most comfortable with over the past three years. I have no intention of changing my form.
Q. 12 years from the next year of the rabbit, what do I want to be like?
“In 12 years, I will be 36, and by that time I hope to be a player who has achieved consistent results every year. After 12 years, I hope that the goal of winning the championship has been achieved at least once.”