In 2022, when almost all team stats hit the floor, Hanwha Eagles second baseman Jeong Eun-won (23) was extremely sluggish at the beginning of the season. He entered the batting order seven times, 1st through 3rd, 6th through 9th, minus 4th and 5th. The key player who won the Golden Glove in 2021, in his fourth year as a professional, was shaken in the air and defense.
There were a lot of disappointing plays, especially on defense. 17 errors left as official record. He was second in errors among 10 club second basemen. That’s just what’s explicitly written out. Compared to before, the left and right defense width has become narrower. A vicious cycle of losing confidence and not being able to take an aggressive action began. The manager and the infield defensive coach were worried.
“I was very disappointed in myself. There is only one conclusion. Lack of basic skills. Like a young player, I should have moved more ‘quickly’ and paid attention to basic skills, but I tried to be comfortable. You have to move busier than others to survive.”
Jeong Eun-won, whom I met in Daejeon last week, did a bitter self-reflection without hesitation.
“I was trying to be stable, so my defensive range narrowed.
After graduating from Incheon High School, he joins the team and celebrates his 6th season. His 6th year as a pro frequently talked about ‘basics’. He said, “In the spring camp, I plan to focus on basic training without making changes to the technical part or making new attempts.”
At the end of November last year, the finish camp was over and I focused on building my body. He went swimming while training with weights. He did strength training in his hometown of Incheon in December, and moved to Daejeon in January to do both aerobic and strength training. The basic of the basics, stamina.스포츠토토
I played 5 years as a pro, and my team finished last in 3 seasons. No matter how good an individual’s performance is, if the team’s performance is poor, it will not shine.
“I was ashamed and intimidated wherever I went. My confidence was low.”
Team performance lowers a player’s self-esteem. This is what Hanwha players, as well as the front desk of the club, have been through for the past few years.
After last season, there were a lot of changes. Some left the team, some became new members. Outside FA (free agent) Chae Eun-seong (33), Lee Tae-yang (33), and Oh Seon-jin (34) joined. Aggressive power reinforcement was carried out. Overall, stronger than before.
“I am excited, nervous, and have high expectations since the seniors came. Everyone became one with the mindset that we will no longer be in last place. Jung Woo-ram (who became the captain) and many other seniors will lead us well, and I will do my best to match that. I work hard to help the team.”
It’s been 5 years since his 2018 debut. He said that whenever he prepares for spring camp every year, he feels new, new, and fun. Every time I wonder if this has already happened, I make up my mind.
He appeared in 140 games last year and had a batting average of 2.74 (139 hits in 508 at-bats), 8 home runs, 49 RBIs, 67 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.745. After a sluggish start, he slowly picked up the pace. However, compared to 2021, when he received the Golden Gloves, his performance took a downturn. Now is the time to put the past in the past and start over
all.
When Jung Eun-won was asked what his goal was, he said he was ‘realistic’. He said that it is ‘best’ to play a given role in a given situation without setting a grandiose goal.
Hanwha fans hope that Jeong Eun-won, who was the biggest achievement of the rebuilding, will once again be on the Golden Glove podium at the end of this year.
Jeong Eun-won renewed the contract for 218 million won, an increase of 27.2 million won (14.3%) from last year. It is the highest annual salary of a beast in Hanwha, and it is the first to enter the 200 million won range.