Won is already No. 1 in multiple wins. Having promised to build double-digit wins this year, Won is racing toward the best pitcher beyond his goal. “Won Tae-in is at another level. I wonder how far he will grow,” Samsung manager Park Jin-man said.안전놀이터
Won has secured 14 wins this season. He is now enjoying his career-high season with wins and tie records set in 2021. The season is not over yet, so there is still a chance to build additional wins. He is looking forward to his 15th win, which symbolizes the best pitcher in the league, and his first multiple wins since his debut.
However, he must remain vigilant until the end. The competition for multiple wins is fierce. Right now, Kyle Hart of the NC Dinos is closely trailing Won Tae-in with 13 wins, and he is aiming to tie for the lead in the match against the Suwon KT Wiz on Wednesday. Currently, Hart is on the verge of multiple wins with 2.31 ERA, No. 1 in winning percentage (86.7 percent), and No. 1 in strikeouts (169). If he wins multiple wins, he will become the first foreign pitcher to win four gold medals in the KBO league.
Won wants to stop him. If Won becomes the champion, he will become the first Korean to win multiple games in seven years since Yang Hyeon-jong (20 wins) of the Kia Tigers in 2017. He is the first Samsung player in 11 years since Bae Young-soo (14 wins) in 2013. Even though he uses Samsung Lions Park in Daegu where many home runs are posted as his home ground, Won has emerged as the ace of reviving the dynasty, which he has been crying out for since his debut.
Won Tae-in roars after completing a complete game in the top of the ninth inning against Daegu SSG on the 2nd. Courtesy of Samsung
The team is also in stable second place in line with Won Tae-in’s performance. It is not easy to overturn the gap with No. 1 KIA to seven games, but the gap with No. 2 LG Twins is also not small with four games. Although Won Tae-in is certain to enter the fall baseball league with 11 games against No. 6 SSG Landers, which is outside the postseason range, it is in Samsung’s favor to face the fall from a higher place. As Won Tae-in plays the role of a native ace following 2021, another fall baseball is on the horizon.
“This year is the year of the blue dragon, and I will put the wings of the dragon on the lion,” Won said in an interview with this newspaper before the season. Won is ready to fly with the challenge of becoming the winner.