Legend Third Baseman’ with the same name, 3rd year ‘5th selection’ candidate, “I will become a player worthy of the name”
He is so famous that I don’t know if I can follow him. However, I will work hard as a pitcher and become a player worthy of that record.”
Dong-ju Kim of the Doosan Bears started in an exhibition game against the Kiwoom Heroes of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 28th and had 5 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings. Recorded a victory with 5 strikeouts and 1 run.
Kim Dong-joo, who joined Doosan in the 2nd round of the 2021 rookie draft (rank 10), has received a lot of expectations, but has not yet been able to blossom his potential. In his first team debut last season, he only recorded an earned run average of 7.56 in 10 games (16⅔ innings).
However, he had a good opportunity this season. Foreign pitcher Dylan Pyle was injured and competed for the fifth starter. Coach Lee Seung-yeop said that Park Shin-ji and Kim Dong-joo should compete for the 5th starting pitcher.
In an interview after the match, Kim Dong-ju said, “It was difficult to win because the first strike did not go well. I think that part needs to be supplemented. In defense, senior (Heo) Kyung-min and (Kang) Seung-ho helped a lot, and senior (Yang) Eui-ji and (Jang) Seung-hyun-hyung guided me well, so I was able to overcome the crisis well.”
Kim Dong-ju, who said,안전놀이터 “It’s the first time I’ve thrown 5 innings in the first team,” said, “There were many situations where runners went out safely, but I think I blocked it well.” Subsequently, he said about the competition for starting 5, “I could say today was the last chance at the end, but I am glad that I threw it well. In the regular season, I will reduce the ball and increase my stamina compared to now, so I will show you a better performance in terms of the content of the game.”
Kim Dong-ju has the same name as Kim Dong-ju, a top-notch third baseman who played for Doosan. As a result, interesting stories often come and go between fans. Kim Dong-ju said, “He knows what kind of player he was. Also, among the bullpen catchers, he has the same name, so seniors often play pranks on him.” However, he worked hard as a pitcher and he will become a player worthy of that record.”
