Correspondents Gocheok and Gil Jun-young] LG Twins Austin Dean (30) set his aspirations to end the cruelty of LG foreign batters.
Austin started as first baseman 4 times in the match against Kiwoom Heroes of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 4th and recorded 2 hits and 2 points in 3 at-bats.
Austin, who joined LG as a new foreign hitter this season, showed a little uneasiness in the demonstration game. In 12 games, he had a batting average of 1.9 4 (7-for-36), 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and an OPS of .581.
LG has not had many successful foreign hitters. The most recent successful hitter was Roberto Ramos, who hit 38 home runs in 2020. However, Ramos also struggled with injuries in 2021 and eventually left the team. Afterwards, Justin Bohr, Rio Ruiz, and Mabel Garcia came, but all of them achieved poor results.
The foreign hitter is an important player who takes up a very large part of the team’s strength. Although the LG batting line boasts a high level of offensive power in the league, it has always been pointed out as a pity that there is no clear foreign hitter. Last season, the postseason was played without foreign hitters and suffered the humiliation of being eliminated from the playoffs. 안전놀이터
Austin showed a good performance in the first three games of the opening, dispelling concerns so far. In three games he’s batting 4.17 (5-for-12) with 1 RBI, 4 runs scored and 1 stolen base for a 1.083 OPS.
In an interview after the game that day, Austin laughed and said, “I know that LG fans are worried about the ‘foreign hitter’s curse’.” I want to end LG’s cruel history of foreign batters. It is not important that I do well, but what LG produces in the end is important. I always try to dedicate myself to the team.”
Unlike a foreign hitter, Austin is actively practicing the “running baseball” that coach Yeom Kyung-yeop emphasizes. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, “Austin understood the baseball we were trying to play very well from the time of camp. He praised him as a player who can move well in the direction the team is moving.”
Austin, who said, “I’ve been learning such baseball since I was young,” said, “Especially, my father taught me that I should always play baseball passionately. I have a strong desire to win, so I will spare no effort for victory.”