“It’s not about my record or performance, it’s about the team LG. I’m just happy to have a winning series.”
It looks like the LG Twins have their first foreign bat in their history. LG fans are already calling for Austin Dean, 30, to have his passport taken away. “I’m not burdened by the ‘foreign hitter curse’ that I’ve always heard,” said Austin, who continues to show passion on the field every day.
On the 18th, Austin started at first base against the Doosan Bears in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Jamsil Baseball Stadium and went 3-for-4 with one home run, one walk, and three RBIs in a 15-3 victory. It was a performance that was one hit short of a hit-for-the-fence cycle.
With a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, he got on base in his first at-bat. In a bases-loaded situation, he hit a timely double to left-center field to make it 2-0.
In the second inning, he hit an inside-the-park home run that completely broke Doosan’s morale. One inning later, five consecutive batters from Lee Jae-won to Kim Hyun-soo scored four runs to make it 6-1 and chase Doosan starter Jang Won-jun. Austin extended the lead to 8-1 with a two-run homer to the back of the infield off reliever Lee Hyung-beom.
Austin’s bat was on fire, and he led off the bottom of the fourth inning with an infield single in front of the pitcher to make it 9-1. He took second on a throwing error by pitcher Lee Hyung-beom at first base. With runners on first and third, Park Dong-won brought in Austin with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 10-1.
In the top of the seventh inning, with the score 12-1, Austin drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch-hitter Shin Min-jae. The walk set the stage for LG’s second run. With two on and one out, Moon Bo-kyung hit a double directly to the right field fence to bring in Shin Min-jae and make it 13-1.
Austin could have completed the hit-for-the-hit cycle with a triple, but with the game already clinched, he accepted the team’s decision without pushing himself too hard.
“Of course I got greedy,” he said. But a record is a record. I’m already in Korea now and this was my second chance to ride the Heat Podder cycle. If I missed it, I would be disappointed, but in the end, my record improved and the team won. The more important thing is not my record or performance, but the team, LG. I’m satisfied with the win,” he said with a smile.
“As soon as I saw the ball go out of play, I just went straight for it, thinking I was going home. This is probably the third grounder of my career. I remember when I was in the States, I hit a ground ball in the Arizona Fall League in 2015, and I think I set a record for the fastest time from home to home.”
Austin is as beloved by LG fans for his passionate play as he is for his hot bat. Although veteran Kim Hyun-soo, 35, occasionally restrains him, Austin believes his enthusiasm translates well in Korea.
“I’ve always been passionate about baseball, and passion is what drives me to play. Coming to this team, I feel like I can feel the passion again. I feel like I can feel the passion again here,” he says, laughing, “and I can see it (a little too much) when I’m pushing myself.스포츠토토
“I think baseball is played with passion in every country, so I think the passion of the team members comes through well, and they are full of passion and fighting,” he added.
He also expressed his gratitude to his teammates for giving him the strength to continue his good performance in Korea. “Oh Ji-hwan, Kim Hyun-soo, and Park Dong-won are taking good care of me. They are helping me to integrate into the team. I am grateful for the support of the veterans who help me integrate into the team and play baseball with passion without the burden of the foreign hitter curse.”