Kim Gwang-hyun (35, SSG), who caused controversy by drinking alcohol during the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), apologized publicly. However, his past remarks have been re-examined, and the criticism is getting stronger.메이저사이트

Prior to the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League home game against Samsung held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 1st, Kim Kwang-hyun acknowledged the recent drinking incident and bowed his head. Lee Yong-chan (NC) and Jung Cheol-won (Doosan), who had a drink with Kim Gwang-hyun, also apologized to the fans on the same day.

On the 30th of last month, a media reported that some players of the WBC national team had been drinking during the tournament, causing a stir. At an entertainment establishment located in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan, it was reported that he drank alcohol from the evening before the game until dawn on the day, and it was a big shock.

Accordingly, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) launched an investigation and requested that each club submit a fact check and a statement of circumstances. However, according to the submitted information, the players admitted to drinking during the tournament, but stated that they had not entered or entered an entertainment establishment the day before the game.

Kim Gwang-hyun bowed his head. SSG Landers
But the controversy did not subside easily. The national team recorded 2 wins and 2 losses in this tournament, staying in 3rd place in the group and missing the 2nd round advance given to the top 2 teams. Following 2013 and 2017, he suffered the loss of being eliminated in the first round three times in a row. In particular, they lost 7-8 in the first game of the tournament, against Australia, and lost face the next day by losing 4-13 against Japan. In the midst of the worst performance, even the fact of drinking was revealed, and the anger of the fans boiled more.

Regarding this, Kim Gwang-hyun said, “I stood in front of the media and fans to express my apology for my unsavory behavior during the WBC tournament.” I will tell you,” he said. “As a veteran of the team, I regret that I was short-sighted and couldn’t control myself,” he added, “I will faithfully participate in the KBO investigation and accept the results humbly.”

Initially, Kim Gwang-hyun was scheduled to start on this day. However, SSG coach Kim Won-hyung replaced the starting pitcher with Baek Seung-gun due to a drinking scandal, and excluded Kim Gwang-hyun from the first team entry.

A picture of the Japanese national team dinner that Ohtani revealed through social media. Otani Shohei SNS capture
Unlike Korea, which was eliminated in the first round due to the worst performance in this WBC, Japan won the championship with a complete victory. It has been 14 years since 2009, and it is the third time in his career to reach the top.

Not only solid power, but also a friendly team atmosphere was cited as the secret to Japan’s victory. Japan held a dinner party ahead of the tournament to promote team unity. At that time, Ohtani Shohei (LA Angels) and Darvish Yu (San Diego) shared pictures of the national team gathering at a restaurant in Osaka through social media.

Kim Gwang-hyun has expressed his opinion on this. In an interview with reporters after completing the last training session at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 8, the day before the opening of the tournament, he said, “I think we can have a dinner party only when we get good results. is always cautious. It’s normal to notice.”

Contrary to the remark, Kim Gwang-hyun had a drinking session during the tournament, and apologized for admitting this fact. It would have been enough to understand if I had a dinner party proudly like in Japan. He claims not to have been drinking the day before the match, but he has already disappointed fans with his double appearance.

KBO is currently figuring out the facts about their drinking dates. If the charges of perjury are added to this, it is expected that a wave of repercussions will be inevitable.