‘Comeback two-run to hit ball to Beckle arbitration’ Han Yoo-seom’s crazy presence

The ‘King of Literature’ is back, after a ten-day absence that felt far too long. Han Yoo-seom (35-SSG Landers) came out of the gate firing on all cylinders to lead SSG to victory.

Han Yoo-seom started in the No. 5 spot at SSG Landers Field in Munhak-dong, Michuhol-gu, Incheon on Thursday in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League home game against the Samsung Lions, going 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, one walk, one hit by pitch, one strikeout, two RBI and three runs scored in the team’s 9-2 victory.

SSG went 3-4 while Lee was on the disabled list after he felt pain in his left groin while playing first base against the NC Dinos on March 3 and was diagnosed with a micro-injury to his left vastus medialis (inner thigh muscle).

Speaking to the media before the game, SSG head coach Lee Sung-yong said, “Han Yoo-seom will play as the No. 5 designated hitter. Fortunately, he came back after 10 days of good rest and his physical condition is good, so I think he will be able to breathe a little easier.”

Even with Choi Jung-jeong atop the home run list and Guillermo Heredia atop the batting average list, Han’s absence was felt. When asked if he felt the void of Han Yoo-seom, Lee said, “To be honest, it was very noticeable. (Ha) Jae-hoon and (Oh) Taegon didn’t do it, and the players who should have done it didn’t do it,” Lee said, adding, “But in the second game on Sunday, (Go) Myung-joon came back a little bit, and I think this week will be better. It’s also good that Yoo Seom came in and helped us.”

Han Yoo-seom made his presence felt early in the game. After drawing a walk in the top of the second inning and scoring on Ha Jae-hoon’s double, Han Yoo-seom took Won Tae-in’s two-pitch low changeup (125 kilometers per hour) over the left-center field fence for a massive 125-meter home run in the bottom of the third inning. With Han Yoo-seom’s 12th home run of the season on his return, SSG took an early 4-0 lead against the opposing ace.

Although Kang Baek-ho (KT) didn’t take the lead with a home run on the day, he moved into a tie for second place in home runs with Choi Jung and Jonathan Peraza (Hanwha), especially as the cannon proved to be a true ‘literary king’ with 10 home runs at SSG Landers Field alone.

After striking out in the sixth inning, Han Yoo-seom led off the seventh inning with a walk. With the game on the line after Heredia’s three-run 토토 homer in the previous at-bat, Hanyusum took offense to Lee Seung-min’s pitch as if it was intentional. He then crossed home plate for the third time on Oh Tae-gon’s two-run homer.

In the top of the ninth inning, with his team leading 9-2, Han Yoo-seom’s presence shone through. A ball that flew behind his body caused Gu Jauk to get excited and a bench-clearing brawl broke out. Han Yoo-seom quickly came out and played a key role in calming down the excited Gu and the Samsung players. Eventually, the situation was put to rest and SSG moved into a tie for fifth place with the LG Twins and within 2.5 games of the leaders, the Kia Tigers.

After the game, manager Lee Sung-yong praised the team, saying, “We had two home runs and five RBIs from the No. 3, 4, and 5 center field spots, and I feel like we’re stronger with Yoo coming back.”

Han Yoo-seom was also pleased with his performance, saying, “I was happy to be able to help the team by hitting a home run right after returning to the first team. I’m not in bad shape and I wanted to improve my game, but I got off to a good start and I want to continue this feeling,” he said. “In the home run at-bat, I tried to make a quick pitch and it was just what I was looking for, so it was a good hit.”

He also thanked his teammates. “As a veteran, I felt sorry and grateful to see my teammates struggle against a strong team while I was out last week. I will do the best I can from my position for the rest of the season.”