Reporter Moon Dae-hyun = Veteran left-hander Jung Woo-ram (38), who was appointed as the captain of the Hanwha Eagles in the 2023 season, emphasized the mental armament of the players.
Jung Woo-ram, who made his professional debut at SK Wyverns (predecessor of SSG Landers) in 2004, has been working for Hanwha since signing a FA contract with Hanwha ahead of the 2016 season. This is my 20th year as a pro.
Jeong Woo-ram, who met with reporters at Incheon International Airport ahead of departure for Arizona, the US, the Hanwha Spring Camp, said, “I wish I had been the captain when I was younger and more powerful. The team’s performance has been poor for three years, so I’m still thinking about how to play the role of captain.”
Hanwha’s previous captain was infielder Ha Joo-seok. However, Ha Joo-seok was suspended for 70 games for drunk driving in November last year, so a new captain was needed, and the club chose Jung Woo-ram. 안전놀이터
Jung Woo-ram said, “Our team is in a really difficult situation, but since we are scouting players well, it could be a good situation on the contrary.” .
As Jung Woo-ram said, Hanwha suffered the humiliation of being at the bottom for three consecutive years. After coach Han Yong-deok stepped down during the 2020 season, coach Carlos Subero took over the baton and began a major rebuild for two years, but as a result, he tasted failure by finishing last for two consecutive years.
In particular, last season, even after declaring ‘winning baseball’, he bowed his head with a shabby record of 46 wins, 96 losses, and a win rate of 0.324. There were as many as 43 rides with SSG Landers, who ranked first in the regular season. Even if we acknowledge the objective power difference, it is too wide.
However, this Stove League is different. Hanwha is showing its will to improve grades by recruiting an outside free agent. Infielders Chae Eun-seong (6 years, 9 billion won), Oh Seon-jin (1+1 years, 400 million won), and pitcher Lee Tae-yang (4 years, 2.5 billion won) were reinforced to show a different move.
With the exception of Ha Joo-seok, who was punished, expectations grew as a large number of talented players were recruited in a situation where there was almost no power leak.
Jung Woo-ram said, “It’s not that the team can change just because one or two new players come in, but I still think positively.” I have learned and come. If they blend well with the existing players, there will be synergy.”
Jung Woo-ram especially expressed his anticipation for Chae Eun-seong.
He said, “(Chae) Eun-seong is a player who has been in good standing for several years in a good team called the LG Twins. He will have a good influence on our team as well.” I hope I can catch up on the parts that I can’t do.”
Lastly, Jung Woo-ram said, “Today, when I saw the faces of the players, I feel relieved because they are all bright. The players all prepared well during the off-season with the mindset that they should change now.” As captain, I will properly inform my juniors of the direction in which they should move forward.”
On the other hand, Jung Woo-ram is recording an average ERA of 3.08 with 197 saves and 130 holds in his professional career. In particular, he holds the record for the most appearances (952 games) by a pitcher in the KBO League.