The KIA Tigers baseball team is entering the 2024 season with renewed hope and ambition after some significant roster changes. Recently, Manager Lee Beom-ho had a pivotal conversation with closer Jong Hae-young at the Gwangju-KIA Champions Field. This exchange came shortly after the Tigers acquired star pitcher Jo Sang-woo from the Kiwoom Heroes, and it’s already setting the tone for the team's bullpen strategies going forward.
Reflecting on their interaction, Manager Lee recounted, "I told Jong Hae-young, 'You are going to pitch the 9th inning,' and he confidently replied, 'I will do even more to improve.'" This moment clearly marked the beginning of Jong Hae-young's commitment to his role, amplifying his responsibility on the field.
Jong Hae-young himself shared his recollections of this conversation, emphasizing it had strengthened his resolve: "When the manager said I was going to pitch the 9th, I responded, 'No, I will work to upgrade my skills even more.'" His response signifies not only his eagerness but also the high expectations he is setting for himself and the team.
The KIA Tigers acquired Jo Sang-woo on December 19th through a trade with Kiwoom as part of their effort to fortify their bullpen. Despite the loss of reliable middle reliever Jang Hyun-sik, who has moved to LG, the addition of Jo Sang-woo — who is celebrated for his exceptional skills — solidifies KIA's pitching lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Having previously been the league's saves king, Jong Hae-young is entering his fifth season as the team's closer. Despite his illustrious accomplishments, he recognizes the work still needed to maintain his position at the top. Jong noted, "I was disappointed when Hyun-sik left for LG, but with Sang-woo joining, I believe our team's power is either comparable to last year or even improved. I have to perform well regardless of whether he came here or not; my spot as the closer is not guaranteed by anyone else’s presence." This statement encapsulates the competitive nature of professional baseball.
Currently, Jong is focused on daily training. His regimen includes strength training at his long-time training center, followed by skill development at the Champions Field every afternoon. This preparation is especially important to Jong, who missed significant playing time last season due to shoulder pain late in the first half, hindering his ability to help the Tigers reach their full potential.
"I believe my previous injuries stemmed from not properly managing my strength training prior to camp last year. I didn’t expect the rehabilitation to take so long, so this time I am putting more emphasis on basics before heading to camp," Jong explained, highlighting his lesson learned from past experiences.
To fulfill the promise of "upgrading" made to Manager Lee, Jong is also working toward adding a reliable third pitch to his repertoire. "Statistically and technically, I believe I have to improve on several fronts, especially on the velocity of my fastball, which needs to increase. The slider I developed last year was effective, but I want to establish another pitch convincingly. I've been practicing my forkball to add more depth to my game," he mentioned, expressing his desire to become even more formidable on the mound.
Last season saw Jong Hae-young achieving 31 saves for the first time, earning him the title of saves king — a feat he cherishes greatly. He recalls his first award ceremony after debuting, stating, "This was the first time I got to attend the awards ceremony after debuting, and it was exhilarating enough to inspire me to want to continually attend it every year. After the team’s victory and my personal achievement, I am busy this year but I wouldn't mind being busier at the end of the season, which would bring more responsibility." This statement captures his evolution not just as a player, but as someone committed to his development.
Meanwhile, the team is also mourning the loss of Ko Gang-in, who was deeply involved with the KIA Tigers’ marketing department. Ko passed away on December 29, 2024, and his memorial will be held at the Gwangju Green Funeral Culture Center, showcasing the team's support and respect for him during this difficult time.
With significant additions to the roster and strong leadership in place, the KIA Tigers appear ready to face the new season head-on, driven by the collective efforts of their players and coaching staff, ensuring their fans have much to look forward to at the ballpark.