[Seoul=RNX News] Reporter Jinwook Jeong = JTBC’s ‘Strongest Baseball’ Breakers achieved their first cold game victory, showcasing a fantastic one-team play with a balanced pitching staff, hitters on a hitting streak, and stable defense.
On the broadcast of the 122nd episode of ‘Strongest Baseball’ (Planned by Hwang Kyo-jin, Directed by Seong Chi-kyung, An Sung-han, Jeong Yoon-ah) aired on the 20th (Monday), Breakers faced off against the baseball team of Konkuk University, which is the alma mater of coach Lee Jong-bum.
The Breakers, who achieved two consecutive wins, expressed their willingness to win the last game and recruit two players. Yoon Gil-hyun surprised everyone with his visibly changed performance.
He revealed, “After the first game, I searched for old videos and practiced shadow pitching daily,” and proved his efforts on the mound with a soft movement highlighting balance and a scoreless strong pitch over four innings.
Coach Lee Beom-ju from Konkuk University was amazed, saying, “The pitcher is really good,” and Oh Joo-won certified the perfect pitch by saying, “Gil-hyun might cry.” Kwon Hyuk, who appeared in the beginning of the 5th inning, also announced a majestic comeback.
He found confidence by getting out the batter who hit a single in the previous at-bat, and demonstrated a back-to-back strikeouts using a two-seam that fooled all batters. Players in the dugout displayed strong teamwork by sincerely cheering, “Let’s see Hyuk smiling,” and encouraging him.
The hitters also participated in the pitchers’ strong pitching. Captain Kim Tae-kyun altered the flow of the game by registering the Breakers’ first hit with an infield single. His image of sprinting toward the first base after hitting was moving.
The dugout smiled at Kim Tae-kyun’s first hit, which finally broke through. ‘Supersonic’ Lee Dae-hyung marveled saying, “Tae-kyun hit an infield single,” and Lee Hyun-seung also sent respect to slow but sprinting hitter Kim Tae-kyun, saying, “Nice! Fast feet,” drawing a smile.
In addition, Kim Tae-kyun solidly supported the team as a captain, emphasizing one-team play of baseball during a crucial batsman meeting amid a tense game, boosting the team spirit by leading with “The pitcher is doing well, let’s reach base ourselves. Let’s stack runners and score in one shot.”
After the fielder meeting, at the bottom of the 4th inning, Breakers finally scored the first point breaking the tie. Starting with Na Ji-wan’s double, followed by a perfectly executed bunt strategy by Kim Woo-sung, leading to Lee Dae-hyung’s pull to avoid a double play, scored one point.
Following that, the ‘disciple of Lee Jong-bum’ Lee Hak-joo hit a single, and the ‘prince of Lee Jong-bum’ Kang Min-guk, who records a .500 batting average in scoring positions, delivered a crucial timely hit producing one RBI. Additionally, Ro Soo-kwang’s hit slipped through the opponent’s defensive error advancing Breakers to lead 3:0.
Notably, Lee Hak-joo exhibited an impressive presence both in batting and defense that day. Under the concentrated management of Coach Lee Jong-bum, earning the nickname ‘disciple of Lee Jong-bum’, Lee Hak-joo showcased his batting skills.
Continuing from his hit at the bottom of the 4th inning, in a scoring position situation with two outs at the bottom of the 5th inning, he created a 2 RBI triple, and at the top of the 6th inning, he quickly grabbed a short ground ball and threw it to catch the batter-runner.
Even the awkward ground ball that exceeded the pitcher’s height was handled by Lee Hak-joo, arousing cheers. Lee Dae-hyung praised, “Hak-joo, you really seem like a crane today!” showing a thumbs up, and new pitcher Lim Min-soo who was on the mound also expressed deep gratitude for Lee Hak-joo’s solid defense.
In this way, Breakers achieved their first cold game victory with a perfect team play, showcasing strong pitching from the pitchers, collaboration among hitters and runners, and stable defense, winning 15:5. With this, Breakers proved the strengthening teamwork of the players as the games progressed, achieving three consecutive wins.
Through the player recruitment match, Breakers recruited catcher Kim Woo-sung, pitcher Lim Min-soo, and third baseman Jeong Min-joon, completing an additional player recruitment with three consecutive victories.
Above all, the brilliance of Coach Lee Jong-bum shone. From the utilization of starter Yoon Gil-hyun to the defensive positioning of fielders, and Kim Woo-sung’s bunt strategy, Coach Lee Jong-bum’s strategies worked.
Coach Lee Jong-bum observed the practice of pitcher Yoon Gil-hyun and provided feedback, “If you try to use excessive force, your balance will break. Throw gently with balance.” Thanks to this, Yoon Gil-hyun found stability.
Additionally, Coach Lee Jong-bum adjusted the defensive position of third baseman Kang Min-guk, and when the ball flowed to that position, they blocked the base smoothly. To the admiration of Heo Do-hwan and Shim Soo-chang, Coach Lee jestingly said, “Didn’t I do well?” drawing laughers.
After achieving three consecutive wins, Coach Lee Jong-bum thanked the players for expressing what they felt on the ground over two weeks, expressing gratitude for the revival of Kwon Hyuk and Yoon Gil-hyun, and the earnestness of the hitters who succeeded in scoring heavily.
Moreover, stating, “I look forward to deploying the strengthened team in a slightly more relaxed manner, being able to recruit the players I want,” he expressed anticipation for the participation of Breakers, who fortified their power, in the upcoming Strongest Cup tournament.
Thus, Breakers have completed preparations for the championship of their seasonal goal, the Strongest Cup tournament. Through winning three player recruitment matches, Breakers successfully recruited necessary players such as catchers, pitchers, and infielders, finalizing the roster. The rising teamwork through matches and training showcased a one-team play, raising expectations.
Post-broadcast, on social media platforms, reactions followed like, “Lee Hak-joo’s all-out batting and defense is crazy today,” “It’s nice to see a positive and bright atmosphere,” “Yoon Gil-hyun’s control is impressive,” “Seniors boasting about Woo-sung, it’s heartwarming,” “Infield hits aren’t easy but Kim Tae-kyun ran diligently,” “It’s good that the pitchers trust the rookie catcher’s lead,” “Kwon Hyuk’s three-pitch strikeout is tear-jerking,” “Strongest baseball battery is good,” generating hot responses.
Meanwhile, ‘Strongest Baseball’ is set to hold its first live audience game. On October 26th (Sunday) at 2 p.m., the first live audience match between ‘Breakers’ and ‘Independent League Representative Team’ will be held at Gocheok Sky Dome, with ticket reservations available on Ticketlink.
JTBC’s representative baseball entertainment program ‘Strongest Baseball’ is a realistic sports entertainment program where retired professional baseball players come together to form a team and challenge baseball again, airing every Monday at 10:30 p.m.
