NC Dinos outfielder Park Gun-woo and manager Kang Myung-ho have finally met. They met once before the All-Star Game and once more 토토꽁포인트 on the field, and smiled afterward.
Park started as the No. 7 hitter/right fielder for the Nanum All-Stars in the 2023 KBO League All-Star Game at Sajik Stadium in Busan on Friday and recorded a hit in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. Coming to bat with the bases loaded in the first inning, Park took a 131 km/h fastball from opposing starter Park Se-woong for a three-run single.
After the hit, Park was welcomed to first base by NC coach Kang In-hwa, who served as the Nanum All-Stars’ first base coach for the day. As he made his way to the dugout, he greeted the coach with a big smile. Park smiled shyly as he looked up at Kang and bowed his head more than usual.
There was a reason. There was a strange vibe between Park and Kang.
On this day, Park couldn’t help but smile despite the festivities. It was his first All-Star game in the second team, with a work ethic controversy. Park Gun-woo was expunged from the first team on the third day and didn’t make it to the first team until the end of the first half. At the time, the coach said, “I didn’t want him to act out of line with the one team. I was very disappointed with Park Gun-woo (in that regard).” Kang also took a firm stance, saying, “I did not meet with Park Gun-woo.”
They didn’t meet for a while after that. When Park was sent down to the second team and didn’t return to the first team until ten days later, there was no chance to meet. However, a meeting was organized before the All-Star Game. “I met and spoke with coach Kang Kwon-hyun earlier,” Park said before the All-Star Game on Friday, “but there’s nothing to say because it was a (private) conversation with the coach.” “The fans voted for me, so I hope I can enjoy today,” he added.
The All-Star Game led to three meetings with the chaplain. Once off the field, and twice with Park’s bat. After Park’s first hit, the priest broke the ice with a big smile. The heat of the All-Star Game melted the ice between the two priests