Ha-seong Kim, sprinting even after hitting a home run → 30,000 spectators ‘Curtain Call’ → Admiring Peta Judo’s hat gift “How can I not love you?”

The return match of superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. (24) that San Diego Padres fans have been waiting for so long. It was Kim Ha-seong (28) who hit the final home run that received the most spotlight in that game. However, Tatis Jr. rather praised Kim Ha-seong and gave up the main character.

The San Diego먹튀검증 Union-Tribune, an American media, made a headline on the 2nd (Korean time), saying, “Ha-seong Kim helped decorate Blake Snell and Tatis Jr.’s comeback match at Petco Park with victory.”

On this day, San Diego won 8-3 against the Cincinnati Reds in the 2023 Major League home game held at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA.

On this day, 37,491 spectators gathered at Petco Park to see Tatis Jr., who returned after two years. Tatis Jr. was suspended from the first 20 games of the year due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident and an 80-game suspension last year for taking a banned substance. Tatis Jr., who started as the first hitter and right fielder, lived up to expectations with 3 hits and 1 run in 5 at-bats, but it was Kim Ha-seong who played an active role with 2 hits in 4 at bats (1 home run), 3 RBIs and 2 runs, including a three-run home run, that stole the hearts of the fans. .

Kim Ha-seong, who started as the 7th hitter and second baseman, retired with a shortstop grounder in his first at-bat. However, from his second at-bat, he began to show a sense of hot hitting. In the top of the 4th inning, with San Diego behind 2-3, he hit a double that hit the left wall directly as the lead batter. Upon reaching second base, he danced with a cheeky expression and put Petco Park in a festive mood. Following Trent Grisham’s double to right field, he stepped home and tied the score 3-3.

Ha-seong Kim hit home again shortly after. This time, I did it with my own hands. At the end of the 5th inning, 3-3, with 2 outs on 1st and 2nd base, Ha-seong Kim was driven to an unfavorable ball count of 2 balls and 2 strikes. However, opponent pitcher Alex Young’s 5th pitch changeup was caught by Kim Ha-seong’s bat, and the ball went over the left wall of Petco Park. It was Kim Ha-seong’s third season, and it was the final home run of the day. He also stepped on the 100 RBI mark in his personal career in the major leagues.

Ha-seong Kim’s attitude attracted more attention than the record. Kim Ha-seong sprinted all the way to first base as if he hadn’t expected a home run, and it wasn’t until it was time to head to second base that he checked the result and sighed. This home run was a hit with a batting speed of 101.2 miles per hour (about 162.8 km), a distance of 353 feet (about 107.5 m), a launch angle of 22 degrees, and an expected batting average of only 0.510. According to Statcast, it could not be a home run unless it was in three of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, including Petco Park.

However, regardless of the result, San Diego fans were enthusiastic about Ha-sung Kim doing his best until the end. San Diego fans made an unusual request for a curtain call for a home run in one of 162 common games that were not in the postseason, and even in the middle of a game that did not end in the bottom of the 9th inning. Nelson Cruz (43), the oldest member of the team, pushed him on the back, and Kim Ha-seong raised both hands in response.

Regarding this scene, the San Diego Union-Tribune said, “In the hearts of San Diego fans (besides Tatis Jr.), there was a heart for another player they liked.” “he explained. He added, “When Ha-sung Kim hit a home run and entered the dugout, 37,491 spectators started chanting Ha-sung Kim’s name.”

At this time, Tatis Jr. made Ha-seong Kim the main character of the day by directly putting on a sombrero (a hat with a brim) he had brought from Mexico City, where he had recently visited. Tatis Jr.’s response to the action was also impressive, according to the San Diego Union-Tbibune.

He said, “How can I not love Kim Ha-seong?”