Hanwha Eagles right-hander Lee Sang-kyu decided to go to the U.S. after agonizing over individual training in the winter after the end of this season. Arriving at the Tread Athletic Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday, he began his month-long training schedule in the U.S. All expenses are borne by himself.

Lee Sang-kyu moved to Hanwha through the second draft after the 2023 season. In this season's starting pitcher and bullpen session, Lee won and lost one game four times, and posted an ERA of 5.63 in 21 games. At a match against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on Aug. 24, he shed tears after garnering his first win in 1,553 days in the first division.메이저사이트

"I had a hard time throwing the ball in the first division, but I felt guilty because I couldn't show good performance overall. I decided to go to the U.S. because I wanted to repay you with better performances," Lee said. "Tread Athletic Center is so famous among players. After I made the decision, I told coach Yang Sang-moon that he thought positively," Lee said. "The weather is so nice. I can only focus on baseball without thinking about anything else. I can't do anything else because the exchange rate is too high (laughs)."

Lee Sang-gyu, who went to the U.S. due to his single body and blood, was in a position to spend the end of the year alone. However, he spent the Christmas warmly received an invitation from his teammate. The invitation was sent by foreign pitcher Ryan Weiss (28) of the Hanwha Eagles.

Weiss joined the team as a substitute foreign pitcher during the course of this season and served as a new pillar of the starting lineup. After successfully renewing his contract, he will wear the Hanwha uniform next year as well.

Lee Sang-gyu said, "When I told TWICE that I was going to the Tread Athletic Center, they said my neighborhood is nearby. Thankfully, they invited me to spend Christmas with my family. But the concept of the neighborhood next door is also different in the United States. I barely managed to find it because I drove over 3 hours." "TWICE also prepared my Christmas gift with my wife. I was sorry that I couldn't prepare anything, but I told her I wanted to eat Korean food and made her bulgogi. Fortunately, they all enjoyed it."

Lee Sang-gyu, who spent the Christmas holiday, is concentrating on exercise again at the center. "I will start pitching soon after finishing the catch ball stage. I want to play full-time in the first team in 2025. I am confident that I will not be sick no matter what position I take. I will strengthen my body and show my physical strength to the end of the season," he said.