NC Dinos’ Son As-seob nears new KBO record for most hits in a career
NC Dinos outfielder Son As-seob is one hit away from tying the KBO League record for most hits in a career. The outfielder batted second in the lineup against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium on April 19 and recorded two hits. With the hit, Son reached 2504 career hits, tying Park Yong-taek’s record. He reached the milestone after 18 seasons, 2043 games, and 6283 days since his professional debut on April 7, 2007, against Suwon Hyundai.
In his first at-bat, Son faced Choi Won-jun with the bases loaded in the top of the first inning, but was forced out on a grounder to second base.
In the top of the third, he got the hit he was waiting for. With the score tied 1-1 and two outs, Choi lined a 136-kilometer fastball high and away from the first baseman. The ball landed in front of Doosan left fielder Kim Dae-hyun, but it bounced with spin and sailed past Kim’s outstretched glove. Son As-seob then stole second and scored the game-winning run. Son then came home on Park Gun-woo’s two-run shot to left.
NC leads 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning. Son led off with a walk and faced Doosan’s second pitcher, Lee Young-ha. After letting a first-pitch strike fly, Son swatted a two-pitch fastball away. After seeing a three-pitch low and away changeup again, he swung at an outside fastball to get into a favorable 3B1S count. Son stuck his bat out at a five-pitch pitch down the middle, but fouled it off. He pulled the sixth pitch on a full count, but it was a grounder to first base and he put his head down.
Another chance came in the top of the seventh. Doosan’s Jung Chul-won singled to left center off NC 바카라 Seo Ho-chul and Park Si-won walked to put runners on first and second. Son turned the bat on a 145-kilometer fastball that was on the outside of the plate. However, Son couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity as the ball sailed toward third base and Doosan’s Jeon Min-jae made the leadoff tag.
NC leads 7-5 in the top of the 9th inning. The opportunity came back to Son again. Park Min-woo drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Facing Doosan’s Kim Min-kyu, Son picked off two pitches before swinging wildly at a third. A four-pitch at-bat ensued in 2B1S. The Doosan infield gathered around the high fly ball, but it was a lucky hit, tying Son’s record for the most hits in his career.
“I heard it was a tie,” Son said after the game. I’m honored,” he said after the game, adding, “I’m grateful to the fans who always give me great support so that I can keep moving forward.” “I don’t think this record is the end, but a process,” he said, adding, “I will keep my focus and do my best so that I can continue to show my good form.”