The third 2300 hits ever, the road to the most hit challenge that will never end

Son A-seop (35, NC Dinos) finally hit his 2300th hit.

Son Ah-seop started as the first batter and right fielder in the home game against the Doosan Bears held at Changwon NC Park on the 14th and played an active role with 2 hits and 1 point in 5 at-bats. Thanks to Son Ah-seop’s performance, NC recorded a thrilling come-from-behind victory with a score of 5-4.

It was no ordinary hit. Son Ah-seop, who had recorded 2,299 hits in his personal career until this day, added two more hits to reach 2,300 hits in his career. This is the third record ever in the KBO League, following Samsung Lions Yang Jun-hyeok (MBC Sports Plus commentator) in 2010 and Park Yong-taek (KBS N Sports commentator) for LG Twins in 2018.

It was a great record that was only possible because it was Son A-seop. Son Ah-seop, who made his debut with the Lotte Giants in 2008, has established himself as Lotte’s main outfielder since 2010. From 2010 to 2018, he recorded a batting average of 300 or more for 9 consecutive years, and also achieved 190 hits and a batting average of 0.350 or more in the season twice. He also won the most hits title three times (2012, 2013, 2017).

There was also a crisis. With his slugging power down (3 homers in 2021), he hit the second free agent (free agent), and he failed to renew the contract with his parent team Lotte. Instead, he moved to NC for a total of 6.4 billion won over four years, but lost face with a batting average of 0.277 in the first year. He followed him with a look that he was no longer a ‘30% guarantee check’.

The crisis did not last long. Son A-seop, who corrected his batting form during the spring camp, was sluggish at the beginning of the season with a batting average of 0.208 (as of April 16). He pulled out with a batting average of 0.349 (61 hits in 175 at-bats) in 42 games after April 17. His batting average for the season also rose to 0.316 (as of the 14th), second in the league.

The value of hits was also high. The two hits on the 14th also came when both were decisive. The hit at the bottom of the 7th inning became a stepping stone to a tie, and the infield hit recorded as the lead batter at the end of the 9th inning led to the ending run. It’s an outstanding performance for the season as a whole. He is recording a scoring position batting average of 0.344 and a WPA (Win Probability Contribution) of 0.52 (first in the team, based on Sports To Eye).

The first thing Son A-seop thought of was the existence of fans. He played 15 seasons in Busan and 2 seasons in Changwon and was loved more than anyone else. Son A-seop said, “I remember the cheers of the fans until I recorded 2300 hits. I think it was possible because of the fans’ support and encouragement.”

Son Ah-seop’s career is currently in progress. The age of 2,300 hits is only 35 years, 2 months and 27 days. He can continue his career for more than 2 years at the shortest and 5 years at the longest. At his current pace, he could even capture the 2400 hit mark before the end of this season. At the earliest, you can look at a new record for the most hits ever in the first half of next year.

Son Ah-seop’s hard hitting continued in the game on the 15th. On this day, he went 4 at-bats, scored 3 hits, 2 RBIs and scored 3 runs, becoming the spearhead for the team to win 10-3. His career hits also added to 2304 hits. Son Ah-seop, whom we met after the game, said, “Actually, I didn’t feel good on the 14th, but luckily I scored two hits. It seems that the atmosphere of the team has improved as I reversed the difficult game, and I also felt good. So I think I hit with a good balance today. ” he laughed.먹튀검증

Son Ah-seop said, “When I hit well, I hit a lot, and when I hit bad, I hit poorly. There are still ups and downs in my batting form.” I am confident that I will be able to do well not only this season, but also for several more years.”

NC, who won with Son Ah-seop’s multi-hit, took back 3rd place and secured its spot with a victory on the 15th. Along with Son A-seop, NC is also causing a ‘blue’.