The Hidden MVP of the National Baseball Team, Bullpen Catcher Kwon Nuri... 3 Roles Per Person Amid Manpower Shortage
Park Se-woong, who had a difficult time as a bullpen catcher, batting pitcher, and support staff, presented him with a gold medal at the awards ceremony and thanked him, saying, “I won thanks to my brother.”
The baseball team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games suffered a serious manpower shortage during the competition.
Due to a lack of AD cards, which are authorization cards to enter the competition facility, only the minimum number of personnel were able to participate in training and games. 카지노사이트탑
Usually, a baseball team needs many members, including players and coaches, as well as training coaches who manage the players' physical condition, batting ball pitchers, bullpen catchers, and interpreters, but the national baseball team competed in this tournament with minimal manpower.
Kwon Nuri, who joined the national team as a bullpen catcher, played three roles per person.
His main job was as a bullpen catcher, and he caught pitchers' balls. During batting training, he transformed into a batting pitcher and threw balls without stopping.
He supported the national team by managing the team's equipment and even taking care of minor tasks.
After the competition ended, the players agreed that Kwon's contribution should not be forgotten.
Lotte Giants right-handed pitcher Park Se-woong recently said in Hangzhou, China, "Fans don't know much, but it would have been difficult to win this tournament without Nuri's support.
Kwon Nuri, who has a lot of experience in international competitions, was a great help to young players. "he said.
He emphasized, “It is because of Nuri’s presence that the players were able to focus on training and games,” and “Nuri is the hidden MVP (best player) of the national baseball team.”
After winning 2-0 over Taiwan in the finals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held at Stadium 1 of the Baseball and Softball Sports Center in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China on the 7th, Park Se-woong impressed Kwon by personally hanging the gold medal around his neck at the awards ceremony. did.
Park Se-woong said, “I gave it to Nuri because he contributed greatly to winning the gold medal.”
Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha Eagles), who played the role of the national team's ace, also expressed his gratitude to Kwon.
Before returning to Korea, he said, "Brother Nuri really went through a lot of hardships," and added, "I hope many people will know of Nuri's contributions."
National team captain Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom Heroes) said, "It's not easy to throw batting balls for more than an hour every day," and added, "Nuri didn't even show that he was tired and worked hard for us every day.
I was really grateful."
Mr. Kwon is a former athlete who dreamed of becoming a professional in high school.
Unfortunately, he was not selected by a professional club, but after completing his military service in the Marine Corps, he began his career as a bullpen catcher for the SK Wyverns, the predecessor of SSG Landers, in 2014.
He always played his role quietly in the shadows, and was recognized as the best bullpen catcher in the country.
This is already the fifth time that Kwon has stepped onto the international stage as a bullpen catcher.
In an interview before returning to Korea, Mr. Kwon said, "I felt sorry for the players because we were unfortunately unable to win the last four international competitions, but it was a great honor to share the joy of winning this competition.
I would have done my part."
“All the credit for the win goes to Coach Ryu Joong-il and other coaches, players, and the KBO,” he said.