Captain's words awaken Kim Young-woong's 'hero swing' after slump

Samsung Lions player Kim Young-woong experienced a significant turnaround in his performance, thanks to a few words of encouragement from his captain. After returning to play and facing a slump of four consecutive strikeouts, Kim found his rhythm again after captain Koo Ja-wook advised him to "just swing confidently without worrying about appearances."

The pivotal moment came during the away game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on August 26th. Starting as the seventh batter and third baseman, Kim Young-woong stepped up to the plate in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, he launched a massive 135-meter grand slam, effectively sealing the victory for the Samsung Lions.

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Don't worry about appearances and just swing confidently.

This powerful hit not only ended Kim's personal slump but also provided a crucial boost for his team. The grand slam was a clear demonstration of his "hero swing" returning, a performance that resonated with the team's aspirations. Kim expressed that hearing his captain's words made him feel more at ease and helped him clear his mind, prioritizing the team's championship goals above all else.

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I felt more at ease after hearing those words and cleared my mind. The team's championship is first.