Why did Samsung's Gong Min-gyu go to the U.S. after losing his salary?
Why did Samsung's Gong Min-gyu go to the U.S. after losing his salary?
Blog Article
"I caught 'the straw' thinking of quitting baseball."
Samsung Lions infielder Gong Min-gyu went to the U.S. last winter. He wanted to go to "King Kang School" run by former professional baseball player Kang Jung-ho. Despite being a low-salary player with an annual salary of 41 million won (41,500 U.S. dollars), Gong used all of his savings to fly to the U.S. He thought it was his last chance.
Gong Min-gyu, who wore Samsung's uniform as a rookie draft 8 rounder in the 2018 season, received attention as a promising player with a power tool, but did not grow as much as expected. Although he received opportunities between the 1st and 2nd teams, he only hit .197 (23 hits in 117 at-bats) with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs in 77 games during the 5 seasons (2021-2022 Sangmu military service). Last year, he had a disappointing season with a batting average of 0.071 (1 hit in 14 at-bats) and one home run in 12 games.
Gong Min-gyu is 26 years old now in his seventh year and has decided that he should quit baseball. I didn't have the confidence to do well. After much consideration, I confided in my parents. "I think I should stop here," they said. "You are still young. Let's try everything we can without any regrets. If that doesn't work, let's admit it and quit," he told his son. While looking for a way to get back on his feet, Gong decided to go to King Kang School, which became famous among professional players.
"I'd be lying if I wasn't burdened with going to the U.S. (on that annual salary). My parents also gave me a lot of support. They said, 'When will the opportunity come when you can go all the way to the U.S. while playing baseball?' and encouraged me to think that I am investing in my life and that I can make more money by playing baseball. I went to the U.S. with the mindset that if I try and (if not) I can do it and spend it without turning points, my life in baseball will end here and I will grab a straw."
To Gong, King Kang taught many things besides Kang's guidance. There, he met Incheon High School senior Kim Jae-hwan (Doosan Bears), and met catcher Park Se-hyuk (NC Dinos), and his peers Kim Dae-han (Doosan) and Park Min-seok (KT Wiz). He created motivation to get back on his feet.
"Kim Jae-hwan said, 'I hope you come here (King Kang School) and do well, but you may not be able to do well. But don't think your baseball life is over. If you can't, you can do it again. Don't play baseball with the end set." (Park) Se-hyuk trains non-stop every morning and afternoon, and it was amazing. Se-hyuk said, 'Keep thinking that you can succeed with baseball.' He said, 'I (Park) can revive even now. I will show my value,' and he advised me to think about that a lot, too."
Gong, who returned after receiving a lot of help technically and mentally, seems much more relaxed and ready for the Futures (2nd tier) spring camp. He said he was nervous whenever the season started for the past few years, but now he is preparing for the new season with confidence. "I've been competing for positions every year, but I've never won. I'm going to do well with confidence in this year's competition," he said.
"I got some leeway in my mind. Actually, every time I go to the ballpark these days, I felt much more inclined to hide. After making a mistake or two in the first team, I felt intimidated a lot because I had to take care of others. Sung-kyu encouraged me at the closing camp, saying, 'If you continue to work hard, a good day will come,' but Sung-kyu proved it last year. I will also try my best, thinking, 'If you work hard, a good day will come.' I sent a New Year's greeting to Lee Won-seok (a close friend of mine), and he also encouraged me, 'You will definitely do well this year.' I will try with confidence."스포츠토토
Gong set his new season's goal of 10 home runs in the first division. Kang said, "You (Kong) can hit 20 home runs unconditionally," but he said, "I'm not that confident. I think we need to set realistic goals," and chose 10 home runs. Then, he set another rather unexpected goal of "second division title." Having said that he has not played a full season in the second division due to playing in and out of the first and second divisions, he vowed to secure a chance in the first division or start the new season with the determination to become the best in the second division.