It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing, but I achieved the goal I had dreamed of since I first picked up the bat. Looking back, it wasn’t a big problem that I was a little later than others. This is the story of infielder Hwang Young-mook (24), who wore a Hanwha uniform in the 2024 KBO rookie draft.
Hwang Young-mook, who graduated from Chunghun High School, failed in the 2018 KBO rookie draft. He entered Chung-Ang University and continued his baseball career, but after dropping out, he pursued his dream of becoming a professional player in an independent league. After completing his military service on active duty, he continued to train at Yeoncheon Miracle until recently.토토사이트
It is no exaggeration to say that Hwang Young-mook’s baseball life reached a turning point through his broadcast appearance. He is said to have gained experience that he could not have as an amateur player through KBS’s <Youth Baseball Team> last year and this year’s JTBC’s <Strongest Baseball>.
He said, “I gained confidence by receiving advice on things I had not experienced as an amateur through the many seniors I met in the program,” and “It was a great help to indirectly experience the pressure of a professional game by playing baseball in front of a packed crowd.”
He was selected by Hanwha with the 31st overall pick in the 4th round of the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft held at the Westin Chosun Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 14th. At the time, Hanwha said the reason for nominating Hwang Young-mook, a right-handed pitcher with decent infield defense and contact ability, was “to secure stable infield resources.”
Hwang Young-mook, whom we met that day, said, “My parents were the reason I had to become better at baseball. “His mom and dad always supported me by doing the best they could in their position,” he said. “I want to return the love I received from my parents by achieving good grades in the pros.”
It is said that Hwang Young-muk’s father served as his son’s manager for a long time, taking time off from his main job. This is why Hwang Young-mook was able to focus only on baseball.
Arriving at a destination that seemed far away, Hwang Young-mook stood at the starting point again. What awaits him after crossing the threshold of becoming a professional is fierce competition for the starting position.
Hwang Young-mook said, “I have had a dream since I first started playing baseball. “It’s about playing baseball in front of many fans and being cheered on,” he said, and pledged, “Because I went to a good team called Hanwha, I will do my best to play in a way that lives up to the team’s reputation.”