“The first time I took the mound in 14 days was 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. I stopped it and got on the bus, but I cried. Is there any meaning in playing baseball like this?”
A bleak future faced at a considerable age, a sincere expression that anyone can relate to. Kang Ri-ho (33, Kang Yun-gu) conveyed his honest feelings.
On the 3rd, Kang Ri-ho had time to communicate with baseball fans about his situation and the intention of declaring FA despite the risk of losing a child through his SNS live broadcast.
What Kang Ri-ho especially wanted to clarify was a misunderstanding with Lotte Giants fans. He repeatedly emphasized “Thank you for the love of Lotte fans” in the broadcast preview and during the broadcast. 스포츠토토
Kang Ri-ho explained, “I was ashamed of myself for not being able to play baseball.” It is the same as what he revealed after the 2021 season. If it’s a one-point relief, it’s 50 to 60 games a season. However, Kang Ri-ho only digested 21⅓ innings in 29 games last year.
Even at the time of his professional debut, Kang Ri-ho was one of the top 3 prospects in Seoul that year along with Lee Hak-joo and Seong Young-hoon. Expectations were high for a left-handed pitcher with a 1m83 physique and a 150km fastball. The Heroes, who sent away major stars such as Lee Taek-geun and Jang Won-sam, were also tied to ‘absolutely impossible’.