SEOUL, After serving as designated hitter (DH) in two previous games, Yang Eui-ji returned to his catching duty for the Doosan Bears on Tuesday.
And the 36-year-old was back to his slugging ways, too, as he belted two solo shots and knocked in three runs in a 13-4 rout of the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
Those were Yang’s first home runs since April 26.
“I hit a few balls last week where I didn’t have good swings on, and I spent the weekend going over some of those plays,” Yang said in his postgame media scrum. “It feels good to get a couple of long balls here. Hopefully, I will be able to build on this going forward.”
With catcher being such a demanding position, Yang admitted he wouldn’t mind putting away his catching gear every once in a while
“Early in the season, I got to DH for a few games, but I went something like 0-for-10. Then the coaches told me I shouldn’t DH anymore,” Yang said with a smile. “No matter where I play, I will obviously do my best, and results are what they are.
But still, I’d love to DH more often.”
Yang has long been regarded as one of the most complete catchers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), an excellent hitter who also calls great games and gets the best out of pitchers. This year, the Bears can afford to give Yang an occasional breather thanks to the emergence of the 26-year-old backstop Kim Ki-yeon.
Kim made his KBO debut with the LG Twins in 2018 but is finally getting an extended look behind the plate this year after joining the Bears last offseason. Kim and Yang have also been splitting time as DH.
“He has so much poise. He is a quiet leader for pitchers,” Yang gushed about Kim. “He helps even inexperienced pitchers really focus. He has helped our pitching staff cut down on walks. And he is also swinging the bat well. He’s earned enough trust from the coaching staff to be able to DH, too.”
Yang and Kim graduated from the same high school, 10 years apart. And that connection has helped Yang grow into his mentor role naturally.
“I try to make h
im feel as comfortable as possible,” Yang said. “I always look to encourage him.”
The first of Yang’s two solo shots was his 250th home run of his career. He became the fourth player whose primary position was catcher to reach that milestone.
When it comes to home runs hit while playing as catcher, Yang moves up to third place with 206.
In both categories, Kang Min-ho of the Samsung Lions is the leader with 321 career home runs and 306 home runs as catcher, respectively.
Yang has often cited Kang, 38, as his role model, and said he was honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Kang, who is also the all-time leader in games played with 2,269.
“As I get older myself, I can see just how amazing of a player that Min-ho is. I have so much respect for him,” Yang said. “He has been playing for such a long time and has been really consistent over the years. I think all young players have to look up to him.”
Yang is on pace to join Kang and retired star Park Kyung-oan as the only catchers with 300 home runs.
“My goal has always been to get to 300 home runs, and it feels great to get a little closer to that,” Yang said. “I hope I can reach that mark before the end of my career.”
Source: Yonhap News Agency