On the 1st, Bae Seong-geun thanked and said goodbye to the background of his decision to retire and the fans who had sent passionate support through his SNS on the 1st.
Bae Seong-geun started his professional life after being 스포츠토토 nominated by the Lotte Giants in the 2014 rookie draft with the 40th overall pick in the 2nd 4th round. Bae Seong-geun stepped on the stage of the first team after 5 years of joining in 2019, but he played in 140 games and recorded a batting average of 0.180, and could not get a place in the first team.
Amid repeated failures as a fielder, Bae Seong-geun even considered changing his position to a pitcher. However, on the 31st of last month, Seong-geun Bae decided to take off his active duty uniform and prepare for his second life. An official from Lotte said, “Bae Seong-geun has retired from playing. Seong-geun Bae knows how hard the 2nd team players go through, so he plans to donate 10 million won, although it is not a large amount for his colleagues and seniors and juniors.”
On the 1st, Bae Seong-geun announced his retirement through SNS, saying, “I am sorry to have to announce such a sudden news to many people who have supported me.” revealed
Bae Seong-geun said, “I wanted to play for a team called the Lotte Giants since I was in school, and I wanted to become a baseball player loved by many people by taking my place as a shortstop.” I think I worked harder than anyone else to achieve my dream and put a lot of effort and time into it.”
Continuing, he said, “Contrary to my mind, the results did not follow my heart, and I had a difficult last year 2022 season. In a situation where my worries deepened, I tried to find another breakthrough in pitching conversion, but for me, as a player other than a shortstop. During the off-season, I felt that life was meaningless,” he explained the reason for his decision to retire.
Bae Seong-geun said, “Forcing myself to hold a position I don’t want will not help my individual development or the team. I hesitated and thought about it several times. It would be a lie if I said I didn’t regret it, but I don’t want to regret it.
Bae Seong-keun did not forget to express his gratitude to his fans and colleagues. He said, “I can’t play together anymore, but I will always cheer for you outside the field. Thanks to the club and my colleagues, I was able to create really valuable experiences and memories.” I will become a person who can live by giving with a grateful heart without forgetting the interest and love of the many people who supported and helped me while I was doing ”.
This is Lotte Giants Bae Seong-keun. I’m sorry to announce the news so suddenly to the many people who have supported me. I am writing this because I think it is time to finish the first act of my life.
Ever since I was in school, I wanted to play for a team called the Lotte Giants, and I wanted to become a baseball player loved by many people by taking a position as a shortstop. Becoming a shortstop for the Lotte Giants was my dream and pride. For 19 years, from the 3rd grade of elementary school until now, I have worked harder than anyone else to achieve this dream, and it seems that I have put a lot of effort and time into it. Unlike my heart like that, the results didn’t follow like my heart, and I had a hard 2022 season last year. In a situation where I was deeply troubled, I tried to find another breakthrough by turning into a pitcher, but for me, during the off-season, I felt that life as a player was meaningless unless I was a shortstop.
Forcing myself to stay in a position I don’t want doesn’t seem to help my individual development or the team.
Even the day before I told the club, I hesitated and thought about it several times. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad, but I don’t want to regret it. In order not to regret it, I plan to make more efforts than now.
I won’t make any other excuses. I lacked a lot, and I tried harder than anyone else to fill that deficiency, but it seems that my efforts didn’t come to fruition.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Lotte Giants team for giving me the opportunity to play baseball in Busan for 9 years. Also, I was able to enjoy baseball thanks to my teammates who always supported me like family.
I can’t play together anymore, but I will always support you off the field. Thanks to the club and colleagues, I was able to create really valuable experiences and memories. And most of all, I would like to say thank you to all the Lotte Giants fans and baseball player Bae Seong-geun’s fans who have been the driving force behind me running for 9 years for their support.
Every word of encouragement you gave to me, who was lacking a lot, gave me great strength. Thank you for making me feel how much power that one word of support is.
I will now support the Lotte Giants and my teammates from the same fan’s point of view. I will become a person who can live by giving with a grateful heart without forgetting the interest and love of the many people who supported and helped me while I was playing baseball.