NC Dinos: NC Dinos ace Kyle Hart was named the recipient of the top South Korean pitching award Tuesday after leading the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in strikeouts in his first season. Hart is the winner of the 2024 Choi Dong-won Award, which has been recognizing the best KBO pitcher since 2014. The award was created in honor of the late Lotte Giants ace Choi Dong-won, a dominant KBO pitcher in the 1980s. Hart will receive a trophy and 20 million won (US$14,495).According to Yonhap News Agency, Hart, formerly with the Boston Red Sox, fell just short of a Triple Crown this year. He led the KBO with 182 strikeouts and finished second to James Naile of the Kia Tigers with a 2.69 ERA. Hart tied for third with 13 wins, two back of co-leaders Won Tae-in of the Samsung Lions and Gwak Been of the Doosan Bears.The Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation said Naile and Won were also considered for the award, along with Giants starter Aaron Wilkerson and Kiwoom Heroes starter Ariel Jurado, who finished first and sec ond in innings pitched with 196 2/3 and 190 1/3, respectively.Kim Si-jin, a former KBO All-Star pitcher and head of the award selection committee, noted that Hart came out on top due to his consistency throughout the year. "The Dinos did not have a great season, and Hart did not receive much run support. However, he kept his head down and pitched admirably," Kim said. "He put up great numbers thanks to his steady and consistent performance."Hart is the second straight Dinos pitcher to win the Choi Dong-won Award. Last year, Erick Fedde was the runaway winner after capturing the Triple Crown as the KBO leader in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Hart is also the second winner of this award to have missed the postseason that same year, after the inaugural winner from 2014, Yang Hyeon-jong of the Kia Tigers.The award ceremony is scheduled for next Monday, Nov. 11, in honor of Choi's number during his playing career.
- October 12, 2026
