It’s too bad to go back to Japan like this. Lotte Giants outfielder Ahn Kwon-soo (30) is making a big success in what could be his last season in Korea. 

In the match against the NC Dinos held at NC Park in Changwon on the 22nd, Ahn Kwon-soo started as the right fielder and hit 2 homers and 4 RBIs in 4 at-bats. He led the team to a 3-game winning streak and a 10-6 win.

The home run and sacrifice fly RBI, which hit the right place at the right time, created a timeline for Lotte’s complete victory momentum. In the beginning of the 3rd inning, trailing by 0-1, he appeared at first base with one company, and after a full count match with NC starter Shin Min-hyuk, he hit a 137km fastball and fired a superiority reverse two-run four. Ahn Kwon-soo’s first home run in the KBO League. 

In the 4th inning, it was recorded as a sacrificial fly by the center fielder from 2nd and 3rd base. And in the beginning of the ninth inning, when he was pursued by 8-6, Ahn Kwon-soo crossed the fence once again. NC Kim Si-hoon’s 143 km fastball was hit and even a superior solo shot was fired. NC’s will to pursue was completely broken.

Ahn Kwon-soo, who was active in the Japanese independent league as a Korean-Japanese, was nominated by the Doosan Bears with the 99th overall in the 2nd round of the 10th round of the rookie draft after a tryout in 2020 in accordance with his grandfather’s wishes. For the next three years, Ahn Kwon-soo served as a backup like Altoran, but was released from Doosan last year. According to the Military Service Act for Koreans in Japan, Ahn Kwon-soo had only one year left to run without resolving the military service issue in Korea. Doosan decided to invest this year in other young players rather than Ahn Kwon-soo. 

Ahn Kwon-soo understood Doosan’s decision and tried to return to Japan. However, right before returning to Japan, Lotte grabbed Ahn Kwon-soo. Although the period of one year was set, Lotte, which had to pursue ‘win-now’, sent a love call to Ahn Kwon-soo. In the end, Ahn Kwon-soo decided to burn the last flame in Korea.  안전놀이터

Currently, Ahn Kwon-soo is mainly playing as the team’s leadoff, posting a batting average of 303.8 (23 hits in 68 at-bats), 2 homers, 9 RBIs, 9 runs scored, 4 stolen bases, and an OPS of .855 in 17 games. He’s not the traditional leadoff type who sees the ball a lot and gets on base. He’s the aggressive, hard-pushing type, and he serves as Lotte’s charge captain. 

It is difficult for Lotte fans to let Ahn Kwon-soo go like this. Is it more affectionate because it is a one-year time-limited season? We are making new memories every day. Ahn Kwon-soo said, “I feel the love of the Lotte fans. Every time I go to the baseball field, I feel the love of the fans because they cheer for me.” . 

In what may be the last season, Ahn Kwon-su sees a ‘career high’. Ahn Kwon-soo is conscious of the fact that he started as a starter in the early and mid-season at Doosan last year, but his performance declined due to physical problems. He said, “Last year, I think that if I manage my physical strength well, I can do well to some extent. I am working hard on managing my physical strength. I make a routine, do weight training whenever I have time, and eat a lot when I can.” . 

At Lotte, Ahn Kwon-soo has yet to face his best days. He believes in the team’s competitiveness more than anyone else. He said, “I’m not thinking about anything other than Lotte’s victory. There is a team that can even win. I also have to show an activity that matches that with Lotte Giants,” he said, burning his will this year.