“I believed in myself and thought, ‘I can do this.'”
NC Dinos outfielder Park Young-bin (26) took a valuable first step. Park came in as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning with a 7-5 lead against the Jamsil Doosan Bears on Tuesday and went 1-for-1 with a double and two runs scored. NC went on to win 12-5, securing fourth place for now.
Park’s quick feet were on display more than ever. In the top of the eighth inning, after leadoff hitter Ahn Jung-yeol singled, the NC bench brought up the pinch-hitter, Park Young-bin. With the bases loaded, Son hit a line drive to left-center field, beating Park Young-bin, who was at first base, around second and third base and racing home in a flash. It was an outfield play that made it 8-5 and completely ended Doosan’s chances of a comeback.
Park Young-bin’s run ignited the NC bats. In the eighth inning, Park’s RBI triple and Martin’s RBI double made it 10-5.
Park also got things going at the plate. In the top of the ninth, Kim Joo-won hit a home run to left to make it 11-5. With a full count of 0-2, Park took advantage of a slider from Doosan left-hander Lee Byung-heon for a two-run double to right field. It was his first hit as a professional in just eight at-bats. Park advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Park Dae-on’s sacrifice fly to left field for the team’s 12th run of the day.
Eight at-bats may seem like a lot to some, but it took Park four years to reach the plate. Park joined the NC as a developmental player in 2020 after graduating from Chungam High School and Kyung Hee University, but he didn’t last more than a year before being released due to injury.
In order to wear a professional uniform again, Park sweated in silence. After resolving his military issues, he joined the Yeoncheon Miracle, an independent league club, and continued his career. Then, in November of last year, when NC outfielder Kim Ki-hwan was suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol, Young-bin was miraculously given the opportunity to rejoin the team. Park went through the tryout and proudly accepted the NC uniform again.
NC coach Kang In-hwa said, “When I saw him again, his physique had improved a lot and he had grown up. There are quite a few big hitters in the team, but there are not many players who are quick on their feet when they think about running the bases. That’s why we brought him in. He has a good contact and stealing ability, so we are planning to use him in situations where we need him, such as pinch-hitting or outfield defense,” he said, adding that they will try to utilize his strengths.
While he has the power to be a pinch hitter, 토토사이트 it’s also important for Park to produce results at the plate if he wants to stay in the first team. In that sense, his first hit of the day was even more meaningful.
“I didn’t get a hit, so I kept thinking and preparing with the coaches. I believed in myself and thought, ‘I can do it. Even though I’m a pinch-hitter, I thought I could do it at the plate,” he said, expressing his happiness through the mantra he chanted in his mind.
He also expressed his gratitude to C Team (second team) hitting coach Cho Young-hoon, who helped him become a player who takes a step forward. Park Young-bin said, “Coach Cho Young-hoon has given me a lot of
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