There is an indispensable presence on the Hanwha mound. It’s veteran Lee Tae-yang. He even has a story to tell.

Lee was selected by Hanwha in the fifth round, 36th overall, in the 2010 rookie draft. He bounced back and forth between the starting rotation and the bullpen until 2019.바카라사이트

Then, during the 2020 season, he was traded to the SK Wyverns (now the SSG Landers). For Lee, the news was unbelievable, as he was very attached to Hanwha. So when he was informed of the trade, he couldn’t help but burst into tears.

His three years with SSG were not wasted. I was able to contribute as a swingman just like I did in Hanwha, and I even won a championship last year. It was more valuable than ever.

After the 2020 season, Lee became eligible for free agency, and his choice was to return to his home team. It’s not that SSG didn’t hold onto him. With a full salary cap, they were forced to withdraw from the negotiating table.

Another team was also courting Lee Tae-yang. But he couldn’t stop his love for Hanwha. She decided to return to her home team for 2.5 billion won.

Lee Tae-yang./My Daily

Lee Tae-yang./My Daily

At Hanwha, Bojik started out in the bullpen. From long relief to the closer’s role. He played every role in the bullpen except for the closer.

But it didn’t end there. He was given the starting job. With Han Seung-hyuk and Jang Min-jae struggling and being sent down to the second team, Choi Won-ho immediately looked to Lee Tae-yang for a starting spot.

In his first start against the Changwon NC on April 16, Lee pitched five innings of four-hit ball with one strikeout and one run allowed. He earned the win in his first start back.

Lee’s last start for Hanwha dates back six years. It was his first start in 2250 days since June 18, 2017, against KT in Daejeon (5 innings, 3 runs, 2 earned).

Then, on June 22, he pitched well against Samsung Electronics, allowing one run on three hits in five innings with four strikeouts. He didn’t get the win that day, but he went five innings for the second straight game.

On the 28th, he was scheduled to make his third start against Lotte in Daejeon. However, it was pushed back a day due to rain, and the game on the 30th was also canceled due to rain. Lee was scheduled to start against Lotte on the 31st.

As her start was continuously pushed back, Lee made her first start in nine days. Normally, starting pitchers get five days of rest. However, it is difficult to control his physical condition when the date is pushed back like this.

Nevertheless, manager Choi Won-ho trusted Lee Tae-yang and sent him out.

“If Lee Tae-yang goes backwards (after missing a turn), it will be too long. If Moon Dong-ju is out, Lee Tae-yang should take the lead and throw,” Choi said, explaining his decision to start on the 31st.

The team can’t help but love Lee Tae-yang, who doesn’t mind doing hard work and fulfills her role as a pitching assistant.

Coach Choi Won-ho said, “It’s really hard to switch back and forth between positions. I’m grateful to have her as an operator. I’m grateful for her as a pitcher and Kim Tae-yeon as a hitter,” he said with a wide smile.

Lee is scheduled to throw 80 to 90 pitches on the 31st.

Lee Tae-yang./My Daily

Lee Tae-yang./My Daily