Samsung Lions has been able to rebound this season after overcoming ups and downs over the past few years because of thickened back door. Samsung, which had the largest number of come-from-behind losses (38 times) in the league last year, has seen its number drop to 26 times this season.스포츠토토
Closer Kim Jae-yoon (34) is at the center of the lineup. Kim Jae-yoon, who joined Samsung this season, has suffered ups and downs as a setup man in the first half of the year before switching to finishing the second half of the year.
Kim Jae-yoon, who debuted with KT Wiz in 2015, is a top pitcher with 48 wins, 41 losses, 42 holds and 174 saves in 539 games.
After joining Samsung as a successor to Oh Seung-hwan, he mainly played in the eighth inning as a setup man at the beginning of the season.
Kim Jae-yoon played with a 2-1 record and a 2.04 ERA with six holds in 14 games through April.
From May to July, however, he was shaken by ERA 5.52. During the period, he garnered two wins and 17 holds and one save in 34 games, but became a losing pitcher seven times. He had to endure stinging glares from fans who naturally come out.
“Actually, I was very busy in the beginning. As I came to the new team and had high expectations, I felt a lot of pressure to do well,” Kim Jae-yoon said in a telephone interview with News 1 on Tuesday. “I have lost confidence as I have not had good results since May. I also think I have not been able to show all of myself in the first half.”
However, coach Park Jin-man’s belief was strong. Even if Kim Jae-yoon made a blon save, he encouraged him by saying, “I will do well if I find confidence.”
When Oh Seung-hwan showed poor condition in mid-August, coach Park sent Oh Seung-hwan to the second division and converted Kim Jae-yoon to the finish line.
The result was a huge success. Kim improved his performance by wearing the clothes he originally wore. He made five saves with two holds without losing in 11 matches in August. His ERA was 2.25, the best since April.
Kim Jae-yoon said, “As I changed from setup man to finishing, I can accumulate my physical strength as I prepare with an approximate expectation of the starting point of the game. Other than that, nothing has changed. I always prepare the same,” adding, “I haven’t improved my ball particularly, but I’ve gained confidence and am leading to good results as I got lucky, with a well-hit ball heading to the front of the fielder.”
With Kim Jae-yoon’s continuous performance, the team is also on a high note. Samsung’s winning percentage in August is 0.739 (17 wins and 6 losses), higher than the leading Kia Tigers’ winning percentage in August (0.682-15 wins and 7 losses). Naturally, the mood is at its best.
“Between team members, good-natured competition has been formed,” Kim Jae-yoon said. “Existing young pitchers work really hard not to be outdone by new veteran pitchers, and veteran pitchers including myself also work hard not to be outdone in the competition. Captain (former) Ja-wook has excellent control over the team in the fielders. If only pitchers do not score points, I think that I will not likely lose.”
Kim Jae-yoon has experienced the postseason several times at KT. He even wore a championship ring in 2021. On the other hand, Samsung has few players who have recently played fall baseball. At the end of the season, it is time for the team to need Kim Jae-yoon’s DNA to win the title.
“I know that fans have high expectations this year because Samsung finished the season unfortunately last year. I really want to play baseball until the latest this year,” he said. “At the current atmosphere, we can catch KIA. The players have a strong will.”
“After signing the contract with Samsung, I let go of my greed for individuals. The most important thing is my team’s performance. I don’t care about where I am, and just do my part wherever I go,” he said. “I will throw as I always do in the rest of the games. If I overdo it, I will get angry. I will trust my ball and throw it more accurately and harder.”