Oh Ji-hwan, who was in charge of ‘backup’, “I focus more because my role is clear”
Oh Ji-hwan (33, LG) received a clear role in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team. Ha-seong Kim (San Diego), who plays in the major leagues, must ‘back up’ the position of shortstop, who plays as the starting pitcher. Oh Ji-hwan, who participated in the 2018 Jakarta/Palembang Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the best shortstop in the KBO League, prepares with more tension in this tournament as a ‘backup shortstop’.
Oh Ji-hwan said after the national team’s fourth practice match at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Kino, Tucson, Arizona, on the 25th, “I’m playing the game with more tension because it’s certain that I will come from behind.”
Currently, 토토사이트 the national team is training in the United States without major leaguer Kim Ha-seong and second baseman Tommy Edman (St. Louis) unable to join. Accordingly, Oh Ji-hwan and Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom) continue to practice as shortstop and second baseman, respectively. I start and play the game to the end and take a lot of at-bats, but personally, I am practicing to play in imaginary situations that are urgent.
Oh Ji-hwan said, “In the actual game, even though the lead is 8-0 and the runner is on second base, ‘If the ball comes to me, I will throw it to third base. He prepares for situations where he has to go out in heavy rain or bunt in overtime. I think it’s easier to prepare because the role I have to play is clear. However, whether it is defense or attack, I am focusing on one pitch.”
Oh Ji-hwan, who stood at the center of the national team selection controversy during the 2018 Asian Games, was very nervous and determined ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. As a result, the national team did not win a medal, but it was a tournament in which Oh Ji-hwan prepared really hard and did his best as the main shortstop.
Oh Ji-hwan, who wore the Taegeuk mark again after two years, has a little more room as a national representative, but is rather more nervous and focused in that he can be put into a decisive situation.
Oh Ji-hwan said, “At the Olympics, I had no choice but to start, so I was nervous and motivated to do well. Even now, responsibility and tension are similar. But it’s nice to wear the Taegeuk mark a few times, and since the role I have to play has been decided, I’m working hard to match it.”