Gwangju: After a standout performance that helped the Kia Tigers secure a vital win over the Samsung Lions, veteran shortstop Park Chan-ho remains focused on leading his team to a postseason spot in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park's determination was evident following the Tigers' 4-0 victory at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, where he drove in three runs. With his team currently 3 1/2 games out of the final postseason berth and only 17 games remaining, Park expressed a clear objective: "I want to win every game."
Last season, the Tigers clinched the Korean Series championship, but this year, injuries to key players have hampered their title defense. Park emphasized the team's resolve to finish the season strong, as they sit in eighth place, three games ahead of the Doosan Bears. The Tigers are trying to avoid becoming the first defending champion to finish ninth since the KBO expanded to 10 teams in 2015.
Despite a challenging season, Park's performance against the Lions showcased his ability to deliver under pressure. He broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the sixth inning and added two more runs with a triple in the eighth. Reflecting on his performance, Park humorously acknowledged his struggles throughout the season, noting it was "better late than never."
Park's offensive skills were at their peak in 2024, when he achieved career highs across several statistical categories and earned his first Golden Glove. Although injuries have hindered his productivity this season, Park remains optimistic, citing advanced batted ball data that suggests improvement despite some bad luck.
Park's strategy against Samsung's pitcher Gerson Garabito was to be aggressive with the fastball, even at the risk of being deceived by a curveball, showcasing his readiness to face any challenge.