"Wish? There's only one thing when it comes to Lotte"
Park Si-young, who was selected by the Lotte Giants as the 31st overall pick in the second round of the rookie draft in 2008, was first called by the first team in 2010 and moved to KT Wiz through a 2-1 trade with Shin Bon-ki (retired) while playing as a "one-club man" until the 2020 season. Park Si-young, who did not stand out at Lotte, but his presence after moving to KT was different.
Park Si-young had a career-high season with 3 wins, 3 losses, 12 holds, and an ERA of 2.40 in 48 games in the 2021 season, and he helped KT win its first "integrated championship" that year, and even tasted the joy of its first billion-dollar annual salary. In the 2022 season, he was injured while playing as a "must-win" and lost the entire 2023 season when he was on the operating table. He then returned to the 2024 season, but failed to take the mound after taking the mound on July 21.
As a result, Park Si-young was notified of his release after the 20224 season, and "Friendly" Lotte once again reached out. Park Si-young opened this season in the second division, but after impressing with one save and an ERA of 1.50 in five games, he was called by the first team and stood on the mound in a Lotte uniform against the KIA Tigers on the 9th. It was the first time in 1,665 days that Park Si-young took the mound as a member of Lotte since September 17, 2020.
Park took the mound in the top of the seventh inning when his team was losing 1-3, and started the game by catching leadoff hitter Park Chan-ho with a fly ball to right field. He then struck out Patrick Wisdom, who quickly accumulated an out count, before handing over the mound to Chung when he allowed a walk in a showdown with Na Sung-bum. Taking over the baton from Park, Chung ended the inning without losing a point, and Park will also have a successful return game. The maximum speed limit is 145 km.
And Park recently met with reporters. How did it feel to be on the mound at Sajik Stadium in 1665 days wearing Lotte's uniform? Park said, "I felt calm because I helped my teammates adapt well. It's been a long time, but I think I played in Sajik Stadium when I was with KT as well. Still, I felt good. I felt good that I came up to the mound of Sajik Stadium for the first time in a long time and threw it," he said with a smile.
When asked about his return match, Park Si-young said, "There were a lot of things that went in the way I thought. When I faced Na Sung-beom, I threw two pitching on the outside course in 2B-2S, and it was a shame that it didn't go in, but I think the rest of the pitching went well as I thought," adding, "I was calm (even when I walked to the mound). I thought, "But there are so many fans," and "They are fans who support me."
Park Si-young, who was used as a trade card and contacted by many clubs after moving to KT, was chosen as "friendship." What captivated Park? "When I heard from Lotte, I thought, 'You are indeed from your hometown team. Thank you.' You were the first one to contact me, and I had nothing to worry about. I had already set up a site in Gyeonggi Province, and my wife's shop closed, but I have no regrets about the decision. She supported me well. It was lucky for me," Park said with a smile.
Park Si-young then said, "How was the first-team call-up?" and said, "I was sleeping. I woke up at 6 a.m. in Sangdong, and I fell asleep while watching baseball. And I answered the phone in my sleep, and I only said 'OK' because I was so tired at the time, but when I woke up, I thought, 'I should prepare quickly and do well.'
Park Si-young was on the operating table due to injury during the 2022 season, but returned to the mound in the 2024 season and completely stopped pitching while recording one loss, four holds, one save and an ERA of 4.62 in 26 games. This was due to the hospital's misdiagnosis. "I said this once in an interview before, but it wasn't an injury. Somehow, I couldn't play the game, and I didn't get hurt. Honestly, there's no place that doesn't hurt a lot while playing. But I don't feel pressure about my physical condition right now, and I'm in good condition," he said.
Currently, Lotte's bullpen session is very shallow. Choi Jun-yong left the team due to an injury during the camp, Jeon Mir is about to join the team, and Koo Seung-min is also down to the second tier due to decreased speed. Therefore, Park's joining could be a great help to Lotte. Park has only one wish, as he has made a big decision to return to Lotte as his friendship.
When asked what he wants to achieve this year, he asked back, "Isn't there only one more thing when it comes to Lotte?" and said, "Autumn baseball is my dream. It is my wish to join the list and take steps to win the championship. Does individual performance matter now? If I do well, my team's performance will come out well and my individual performance will follow. If I do well, my team's performance will improve as well." 스포츠토토
As Park has regained her health, if she shows performance when she transferred to KT, she will be a great help to Lotte. Will Park achieve her dream before ending her active career? Park is ready to spend the rest of her career at Lotte.