Although covered with a mask, happiness was buried in Kim Ha-sung's face.
Ha-sung Kim, who entered the major leagues of the United States of his dreams, showed confidence that he could compete for the'second baseman' and'double-digit home run'.
Ha-sung Kim held a press conference at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th.
It was the first time I stood in front of a domestic reporter after the news of joining San Diego became known.
Ha-sung Kim gave his first impression, "This is the stage I have dreamed of, and I am personally looking forward to joining a good team. I am really honored."
“I was a player who was in a hurry to go to the pros in my amateur days. But I met a good club and met a good coach, coach, and senior. Former manager Yeom Gyeong-yeop said,'Look at the major leagues and play baseball'. "I think I was convinced after going through last season well."
Ha-Sung Kim became a member of San Diego with a ‘big-shot’ contract for up to 5 years, receiving 42.4 billion won.
Kim Ha-sung won 1,634 billion won while playing 7 seasons in the KBO League.
The annual average is 233.342 million won.
The terms and conditions of the contract with San Diego average KRW 8.48 billion per year, which is 37 times higher than that of the KBO League.
Ha-Sung Kim also hasn't been able to realize such a'big hit' contract yet.
"Honestly, I still don't feel it. I think I'll feel'You're a player who receives a lot of money' only after the deposit is made. I have a great sense of responsibility because you treated me. I have a mindset of'I have to do really well' and'I have to prepare well.' Hopefully, I think money comes with it. (What I want to do when I make the first deposit) I haven't thought about it yet, but I think it would be nice to save it and buy a house later (laughs)."
It's a jackpot when it comes to the amount, but his choice makes his head tilt.
Because the San Diego infield was filled with the best players in the league.
Third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Tatis Jr. are considered top league players.
Second baseman Jake Cronenworth is a promising second in the National League Rookie of the Year vote last year.
So Kim Ha-sung also confessed that he was hesitant to enter San Diego at first.
“To be honest, the San Diego infield was so good that it took a little while signing the contract. The main position is shortstop, and in the pro, I played shortstop and third base at the same time, but I had to compete at second base and change positions. No matter which team I go to, those players are the players who play in the major leagues. From my point of view, I wanted to play for a team that has a better player base. Field, I think there will be a lot of things to learn from those players if I try to match my breath in a good infield, I'm still young, so I thought I'd be able to experience them all. If I was nervous about that and couldn't believe myself, I wouldn't have even challenged the major leagues Will."
Ha-Sung Kim must compete for the position of second baseman in Cronenworth.
I am confident.
"Second baseman has his own confidence. I saw second baseman in high school and learned all the steps and technical aspects while backing up my first year as a pro. I saw a lot of players changing positions from shortstop to second base, but they showed better appearances. I thought it was a good idea to change the position because the distance was close and there was room for throwing. I thought I could show a lot in play."
In a video interview with the local media last month, Kim Ha-sung proudly revealed that he wants to win the World Series by winning the rookie king.
When the local media saw such an appearance of Ha Sung Kim, they expressed their expectation, saying, "I am full of confidence."
Ha-Sung Kim said that with confidence, you can do anything.
“What I always said when I was playing in the KBO League is winning. It's natural to want to be number one as a sports player. San Diego has the power to say'World Series Championship'. You can get the rookie king if you are really good at it. If I have a sense of goal, I can whip myself, and I think I mentioned the rookie king because of that. People may think,'You're confident, you're confident', or you might say,'You?'. It's a place where you have to compete. I'll try hard to survive."
Kim Ha-sung picked'KBO League senior' and Toronto ace Hyun-jin Ryu as the pitcher he would like to meet on the American stage.
In 2013, when Ha-sung Kim joined the pro, Hyun-jin Ryu transferred to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and there was no opportunity for a confrontation.
"I want to hit Ryu Hyun-jin hyung's ball. I couldn't do it when I was in Korea, and when I joined a pro, I couldn't already go to the major leagues. I had a really good ball when I watched TV, and I throw a good ball, so I want to hit it. I'm a pitcher who is in the top ranks in the major leagues, so even if I can't hit it, I want to see Hyunjin hyung's ball. I will try to hit it."
In an interview with the local media, Ha-seong Kim said "Hello everyone, I'm Ha-seong Kim. Nice to meet you all" in English.
Communication is essential in American life.
I was asked how long I had been studying English.
“Of course…” Kim Ha-seong said, “I can’t study because I’m busy exercising,” and the reporters fell into laughter.
But soon he said, "I want to learn English in my own way, so I plan to learn English hard while playing baseball. In a few years, I will return to being a player who can do well to some extent."
At the same time, he threw a confident exit in English.
"I can do it!."
Ha-sung Kim asked for support from domestic fans last.
“I learned a lot while playing in the KBO League for 7 years, and I am grateful for being loved. As a sports player, I knew how much the support of the fans was strong and thankful, but as the Corona 19 broke out, the fans' love was greater. I went to other regions, but I hope that many fans will support me. I think if I do well, I will become a good role model for young students who play baseball. I will go and do well, so I would appreciate it if you watched and supported me a lot."