After the match, there were blood stains on the uniform. It was evidence of hustle play that did not spare the body.
LG foreign batter Austin Dean is doing his best in the air and defense to end the ‘foreign cruelty’ as he said. So far, it is expected to be a ‘winning contract’.
After the game between NC and LG held at Jamsil Stadium on the 19th, 메이저놀이터bloodstains were evident on Austin’s uniform pants. The skin on his right elbow was abraded and blood was wiped from the wound.
On this day, Austin started as a first baseman 4 times and played an active part with 1 RBI and 2 runs, going 3 at bats, 3 hits, 1 walk and 100% on base.
He hit a timely hit to tie the game with two outs on second base in the first inning, and went on base with an infield hit to third baseman after two outs in the third inning. He harassed opposing starter Peddy with an on-base after two outs, and scored with a timely hit of agility. There were 5 wounds with bloodstains.
After 2 outs in the 5th inning of Ostenden, he went to base with a left-handed hit and succeeded in stealing 2nd base from Moon Bo-gyeong at bat. When the catcher’s throw fell into the outfield, he took off his helmet and ran to third base without delay. His wound was caused by his right elbow chafing in the dirt while sliding head-first from second base. After arriving at third base, Austin looked at the wound.
When pointed at the wounds and bloodstains prior to the post-game interview, Austin showed a cool response, saying, “It’s nothing special.”
At the time of the spring camp interview, Austin cited his versatility in offense, defense, and base running as his strengths, and said, “I have a strong desire to win. If I get a hit from first base, I will try to show an aggressive run to get home somehow.” He had a strong will to play hustle, saying, “He will always be a player who is dedicated to winning the team.”
LG played the postseason without foreign players for two consecutive years from 2021 to 2022. Roberto Ramos, who set the record for the most home runs (38) in LG history in 2020, was sluggish during the 2021 season with a batting average of 24.3 and was replaced due to a back injury, and substitute Justin Boer (batting average .170) was also sluggish. Last year, Rio Ruiz (batting average .155) and Robello Garcia (batting average .206) failed to adapt one after another.
Austin is well aware of LG’s cruelty to foreign batters. Since signing a contract with LG, he received direct messages from fans and learned about his past along with their support. Austin said he was determined to “break the alien atrocities.”
Austin reported a home run in the KBO League against NC on the 18th. It was a meaningful home run. Previously, he was hitless in 8 at-bats against left-handed pitchers, but he pulled the slider of NC left-hander Lim Jeong-ho and hit a two-run home run that tied the score.
Austin has a batting average of .375 (21 hits in 56 at-bats), 1 home run, 10 RBIs, 11 runs, and an OPS of .931 in 16 games through the 19th. He is tied for 6th in hitting and tied for 8th in RBI. He is smoothly adapting to the KBO league.
Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop said to Austin, “It’s okay to have a batting average of 207 to 208 and hit 20 homers.” Austin, who said he is most confident in right field defense, is playing as first baseman due to Lee Jae-won’s injury. Coach Yeom said, “I’m better at defending first base than expected,” and showed a willingness to appoint Austin as the first baseman even if Lee Jae-won returns from injury.
