Run and run, encourage and scold. Samsung Lions outfielder Koo Ja-wook (31) is really busy this year. Being a “crowded generation” of veteran and young players in his team, Koo is enjoying his best season, encompassing the entire team and leading not only his individual performance but also his team’s advancement.스포츠토토
There are many changes in Samsung’s squad this year. With the appointment of new general manager Lee Jong-yeol, veteran bullpen pitchers such as Kim Jae-yoon and Lim Chang-min joined the team. There were also many changes in staff, including the appointment of head coach Jeong Dae-hyun and hitting coach Lee Jin-young. The reorganization of the members was not small due to the advancement of young players such as Kim Young-woong and Kim Ji-chan and the revival of players who had been sluggish so far such as Lee Sung-kyu and Kim Heon-gon.
The larger the width of the change, the more the centripetal point is needed. There is a player who protects “Jungjungdong” amid these changes. It is captain Koo Ja-wook.
A one-club man who spent 13 years with Samsung, he served as Samsung’s captain this season. Koo Ja-wook is the last legacy of the Samsung dynasty (2011-2015), and he has been the team’s leader even after all of its seniors left the team.
Koo is serving as a bridge between veterans and young players, and coaches and players. With the increasing number of young players, he constantly communicates with and encourages younger players, even criticizing them. “(Young players) were good and ranked second as of Wednesday),” Koo said. “I want to scold younger players who don’t play hard or are not actively participating. When I was young, I played with the determination to die.” He does not hesitate to make comments on his latte.
Qualifications are also needed to make such bitter remarks. Koo Ja-wook has the virtue of a leader who leads by example. Before the season, he said, “Team performance comes first over individual performance. If I do well, my juniors will follow me well.”
Koo is proving his performance. He has played in 104 games this season and posted a batting average of 0.320 (129 hits in 403 times at bat) with 22 home runs and 83 RBIs and a slugging percentage of 0.571. His slugging ability has improved from last year’s career high season of 0.336, 11 home runs and 71 RBIs. He also performs sprint, hustle play, and performs intense ceremonies to elevate the mood of his team.
Over the past few years, Samsung has emerged as a young team through generational change. Koo’s role has become important among veterans around the age of 40, including Oh Seung-hwan, Kang Min-ho, and Park Byung-ho, and players in their early 20s. Koo is also well aware of his role. This is why he is playing harder and taking care of the players. “I thought a lot about how the players of my team could do well,” Koo said last winter. “I tried to be different for the team members and the fans. Thanks to this, my performance and appearance are improving as well.”
Before starting this season, Koo said, “Now that we have more good players, our team’s performance will definitely improve this year. I believe we will be a team that never gives up.” As he promised, Samsung is heading for the postseason for the first time in three years since 2021. Its come-from-behind victory also turned into a “team that never gives up until the end,” with 36 wins, the most in the league. With Koo’s lead, Samsung has changed dramatically.