“If you give me any position, I want to throw it with excitement. I plan to do my best to advance to the postseason (PS).”
NC Dinos Song Myung-ki, who fell into sluggishness at the beginning of the season and is gradually rebounding recently, conveyed his strong aspirations.
Song Myung-ki, who was nominated by NC for the 7th overall in the 2nd 1st round in 2019, is a right-handed pitcher whose powerful fastball is considered his strength. Until last year, he recorded 22 wins and 19 losses with an average ERA of 4.87 in 59 first-team games (321.2 innings), showing his potential.
However, he was caught in an unexpected slump at the beginning of this year. He started the season as a starting pitcher, but failed to show a sense of stability and frequently moved back and forth between the futures (second team) league. After that, he came up to the first team at the end of May, but was unable to secure a place in the starting lineup and was active in the bullpen.
Song Myung-ki, whom I recently met at Changwon NC Park, said, “It felt like I was not in better condition than I was originally. He wasn’t even up to speed. Even in that situation, he said, “It is amazing that he blocked it well in his own way at the beginning of the season.” Frankly, without this happening, he couldn’t figure out how to get through later. I try to think positively,” he said, looking back at the difficult times.
Even if he said this, he must have suffered more than anyone else from the sudden ordeal. “It was very difficult at first,” he said. He said, “When I went down to the second group for the first time this year, my mentality was very shaken.” “I couldn’t even exercise much. I was trying to get his body up. He was trying to find a balance, and he was trying to be stronger. That was the focus,” he said.
Fortunately, during the difficult times, Song Myeong-gi had NC members like his family. He said, “People around me said a lot of good things. It didn’t hurt, so it was fine. He helped me a lot,” he said. “Director Kang In-kwon told me to be strong. He was helped a lot by coach Gong Pil-seong of the 1st and 2nd divisions and all the coaching staff. In particular, his bullpen catcher (surname) reputation helped his brother a lot too. When I was playing catch, he looked at my ball and said, ‘Don’t be in a hurry. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s getting better.”
Song Myeong-ki, who was desperately proud, began to rebound gradually. It was the beginning of a quality start (6 innings or more and 3 earned runs or less as a starting pitcher) with 3 runs in 6 innings against the Lotte Giants in Busan on the 1st. On the 6th, against Kiwoom Heroes in Changwon, he continued his upward trend with 3 runs in 5 innings, and on the 12th against KT Wiz in Suwon, he did his part with 2 runs in 6.2 innings. Although he slowed down with 0.1 innings and 2 runs against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 19th, when he went to the mound for the first time after switching to the bullpen, it is hard to be full on the first drink.
Song Myung-ki said, “I tried to do it steadily without thinking in a hurry. He tried to find balance and skill, and the result came out well.”
Eric Pedy, who recorded an average ERA of 2.01 with 15 wins and 5 losses as of the 23rd pregame, and established himself as the best foreign pitcher in the KBO League this year, is also Song Myung-ki’s cutter teacher.토토사이트
Song Myung-ki said, “Peddy is a tree that gives generously. He asked me about the cutter, and he told me so well. He himself said he learned from Max Scherer (Texas Rangers). I thought sweeper would still be difficult, so I asked only what I could control. It was kind and easy to understand.” He raised his thumbs up.
NC is having an impressive season this year. It was evaluated as a ‘weak’ before the opening, and despite many injuries, it currently has a record of 52 wins, 2 draws and 48 losses, and is firmly defending the 4th place. NC’s propaganda has a unique team atmosphere where seniors lead well and juniors follow suit.
Song Myeong-gi said, “In the pitching team, senior Lee Yong-chan, who graduated from the same Jangchung High School, creates a good atmosphere.” So I think we can improve a little more.”
At the same time, he did not spare any suggestions. When NC hitters hit a home run, they take a picture and hang it on the dugout bulletin board. Song Myung-gi said, “I want to take a picture of the pitchers when they did well or post it on the dugout. I think it would be good to be motivated,” he said.
As Lee Jae-hak, the NC’s original ace who recently shook off a fracture of the 1st metatarsal bone in his left foot, returns to the starting rotation, Song Myeong-ki is expected to move to the bullpen and play an active role for the rest of the season.
He smiled and said, “As a starting pitcher, personally, I don’t think I will be able to achieve the goal I had in mind this season.” He must throw hard all the time. I will do my best,” he stressed.
The performance of Song Myung-ki in the 2020 season, when NC achieved a combined victory for the first time in history, was also dazzling. He started the 4th game in the Korean Series, where NC was behind the Doosan Bears with a record of 1 win and 2 losses, and led the team to a 3-0 victory with 5 scoreless innings. NC, which changed the atmosphere with Song Myung-gi’s reverse pitch, was able to roar at the highest place among the 10 KBO league clubs, eventually posting a series record of 4 wins and 2 losses.
Looking back at that time, Song Myeong-ki smiled, saying, “I forgot everything,” and then said, “I really want to play in the postseason this year. If you give me any position, I want to throw it with excitement. I will do my best to advance to the postseason.”
Finally, he said, “It was very difficult when I was sluggish, but many fans encouraged me by giving me SNS, letters, and gifts. It really gave me a lot of strength,” he said, “I’m so grateful and I’ll do my best to show good pitching for the rest of the season.”