On the day the NC Dinos advanced to the playoffs due to a series upset, team owner Taek-jin Kim, ‘Taekjin-hyung’, also visited NC Park to encourage the players. Although he did not make a loud appearance, he congratulated coach Kang In-kwon after the game and encouraged the players in the clubhouse.

NC Dinos won 7-6 in the third game of the semi-playoffs against SSG Landers of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO Postseason’ held at NC Park in Changwon on the 25th. Although they reached the wild card match in 4th place, they advanced to the playoffs by defeating 3rd place SSG with all three wins in the series. Triple Crown ace Eric Peddie succeeded in an upset even though he was unable to pitch due to a right arm contusion and elbow impingement syndrome. And at the moment of victory, team owner Kim Taek-jin also enjoyed the joy.

Team owner Kim Taek-jin watched the game unnoticed from inside the skybox that day. It was a ‘silent’ visit to the stadium, so much so that he was only caught on the broadcast screen late in the game.

Although the game ended at 10:33 p.m., team owner Kim Taek-jin showed his love for the baseball team until late at night. After the game, we had a brief meeting with coach Kang In-kwon, accompanied by CEO Lee Jin-man and general manager Lim Seon-nam. After finishing the broadcast interview and press conference, coach Kang In-kwon waited for team owner Kim Taek-jin in the hallway. The interview was not long, less than 5 minutes.

Even after meeting coach Kang In-kwon, team owner Kim Taek-jin did not return home. He stopped by the clubhouse and encouraged the remaining players. The players were also surprised. Some players, including Park Min-woo, left work first, found the team owner, and turned around again. Team owner Kim Taek-jin stayed at the stadium for a long time and watched the players.

When NC won its first championship in 2020, they went on a ‘regional tour’ until all regular season magic numbers were erased, and CEO Kim Taek-jin watched all six games of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome. NC has struggled for the past two years after winning the combined championship. In 2021, an unpleasant incident occurred while violating COVID-19 quarantine rules. In 2022, it ranked 6th.

In the postseason, which returned for the first time in three years this year, they are on a 4-game winning streak, breaking the perception of being an ‘underdog.’ SSG, ranked 3rd, also dropped after 3 games. Team owner Kim Taek-jin also shared this moment of victory.

The game continued until the end with no way to know who would win or lose. Even though NC took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, they were unable to land a decisive blow. Starter Tanner Turley allowed 5 runs in the second inning alone, allowing a comeback. Jason Martin’s home run brought the game back right away, but it became a difficult game as no additional runs were added after the third inning.

The strength of the bullpen was great. After dropping starter Tanner after two innings, NC maintained the lead until the end by putting in Lee Jae-hak (2⅔ innings, 1 run), Kim Young-gyu (1⅓ innings), Ryu Jin-wook (⅔innings), Lim Jeong-ho (1⅓ innings), and Lim Jeong-ho (1⅓ innings), and Lee Yong-chan (1 inning). Lee Yong-chan made a save by successfully making a three-way offense for the first time in this postseason.안전놀이터

After the game, Manager Kang In-kwon said, “There were difficulties in the early part of today’s game as no additional runs were scored. Nevertheless, I think we were able to finish the semi-playoffs in a good atmosphere as the middle bullpens did their job well.” I praised it. When asked to select the best choice in this series, he gave credit to the players, saying, “I would like to say that the players did a really good job. I think the choices I made were my own beliefs. I think that worked out fortunately.”

Regarding closer Lee Yong-chan, who made a three-way inning, he said, “I think he has found himself a little bit today. He looked relaxed on the mound, and I think he has some composure as he finds his pitch. I expect that he will continue to pitch well in the future.”