"I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise to win Lotte."
Son Ah-seop, who left the Lotte Giants and set up a new nest at NC Dinos, wrote a letter of thanks to Lotte fans for their support.
Son Ah-seop signed a contract with NC on the 24th for a total of 6.4 billion won, including a down payment of 2.6 billion won for 4 years, a total annual salary of 3 billion won, and an incentive of 800 million won.
After answering constant calls from acquaintances and reporters, Son Ah-seop calmly wrote a letter for fans on his SNS.
Son Ah-seop said, "I made the most difficult decision of my life. It is the most heartbreaking day in my 15 years of professional life. The moment I made the decision to leave my beloved Lotte, the first thing that came to mind was the fans I truly loved." I took it off.
Son Ah-seop was born in Busan.
He started baseball at Yangjeong Elementary School in Busan and went through Gaeseong Middle School and Busan High School. As fate would have it, he joined his hometown team, Lotte Giants, with the 29th place in the 2nd round in 2007.
He said, "From the moment I first got my hands on a baseball in a back alley in Yangjeong-dong 24 years ago, my dream has been to wear the Lotte Giants uniform. I remembered.
He continued, "I can't forget the spring of 2007, when I first stood at the plate at Sajik Stadium. I can hear the voices of the fans who cheered for me, who was Gwang-Min Son (before the change of name) at the age of 20," he said. , scoring the first goal and hitting the first home run, precious fans were there every moment.”
Son Ah-seop, who established himself as Lotte's main outfielder in 2010, obtained his first free agent qualification after the 2017 season ended, and signed a four-year, 9.8 billion won contract with Lotte.
However, his second free agent deal was with NC.
Son Ah-seop said, "I was born and raised in Busan, and I have never left Busan in my life. I couldn't imagine myself wearing a different uniform."
He always dreamed of 'Lotte Championship', but Lotte has not won the championship in nearly 20 years since 1992.
The moment he left Lotte, Son Ah-seop regretted "not keeping his promise to win Lotte."
Lotte fans who care about Son Ah-seop were also shocked by his transfer.
The Internet baseball community has been flooded with articles criticizing the Lotte team for failing to catch Son Ah-seop.
However, there are fans who support Son Ah-seop's new start.
Son Ah-seop wrote, "I will cherish all the support and support of the fans in my heart and I will never forget it" and "I will greet you at the new team NC."
He condensed all his current feelings at the end of a long letter.
"Dear fans, I'm sorry. And thank you."
(Photo = Courtesy of NC Dinos, Yonhap News)