The desire to be with the team led to the WBC (World Baseball Classic).
On the 6th, the KBO announced the news of Choi Ji-man’s absence from the WBC. This is because Choi Ji-man’s team, the Major League Pittsburgh Pirates, did not allow him to participate due to the physical condition of a player who is currently recovering from surgery. The KBO selected outfielder Choi Ji-hoon as a substitute for Choi Ji-man.
As the WBC starting first baseman was absent, Park Byung-ho (37) naturally took over as the starting first baseman for the WBC national team. One of the reasons the KBO chose outfielder Choi Ji-hoon rather than first baseman instead of Choi Ji-man was that Park Byung-ho’s physical condition was also considered. Park Byeong-ho, who injured his ankle at the end of last season, is now in a state where he can handle batting, base running, and defense with steady rehabilitation.
Park Byeong-ho also confidently said about his physical condition, “I can defend enough with my current physical condition. There is still a month left before the WBC, so there will be no major problems during the tournament.”
If he had undergone surgery, it is highly likely that another player would have been selected for the national team instead of Park Byeong-ho.
In a game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome on September 10 of last year, Park Byeong-ho hit the middle left and sprinted to second base to become safe. However, he suffered an injury in which his left ankle was bent when sliding, and was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance. The examination results were disappointing. He was checked at 3 hospitals and found that he had torn 2 ligaments on the outside of his left ankle and a small ligament on the inside. The diagnosis at the time was surgery.
However, Park Byeong-ho chose rehabilitation instead of surgery because he wanted to play the postseason with the team. The hospital said that he could have surgery after a month, and Park Byeong-ho clung to rehabilitation with the mindset of trying to do it.
The results were dramatic. Park Byeong-ho, who recovered quickly, was able to hit the ball, although it was difficult to defend, and KT coach Lee Kang-cheol appointed him as the designated hitter to play the postseason.
Even after completing his postseason, Byung-ho Park opted for rehabilitation instead of surgery. He didn’t need surgery because his condition was already improving. The pace of improvement from injury was also faster than expected. 바카라
Because he did not undergo surgery, Byung-ho Park was able to be selected for the WBC national team. If he had undergone surgery, he would not have been selected for the national team because he would need a rehabilitation period.
Park Byung-ho said, “The national team always seems to be a place with weight. Even if you meet a strong opponent, you must win, and you must play with the mindset that you must win.” It seems to be the national team that could be the last for me. So I want to prepare better and do my part so that when the tournament is over, I want to return home without regret.”
The attitude of the Korean national team in this WBC tournament is different from before. They were criticized by the public for being eliminated from the group stage in the previous two tournaments in a row. The KBO is focusing on analyzing the power of the opposing team. The flights of national team players were also recently upgraded to business class. But the most important thing is the performance of the players. Not to mention the mindset.