Park Seung-gyu of the Samsung Lions said, “No player is greater than the team,” after choosing to stretch for a triple instead of stopping at second base to complete a cycling hit.
In the game against the NC Dinos on April 10 at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, Park started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder, delivering an outstanding performance with four hits and four RBIs in five at-bats.
He hit a triple in the first inning, a single in the third, and a home run in the fifth. Then, with the score tied 4-4 in the eighth inning and two outs with the bases loaded, Park smashed a bases-clearing triple to center field, becoming the key player in his team’s victory.
What made the moment even more remarkable was that Park could have completed a cycling hit if he had stopped at second base. Instead, he pushed on to third without hesitation, celebrating passionately.
Although the situation—with two outs—meant there was little difference between being on second or third base, Park prioritized his team over personal achievement. A cycling hit, which requires a single, double, triple, and home run in one game, is a rare feat in Korean professional baseball, having occurred only 32 times since the league’s founding in 1982.
After the game, Park said in a TV interview, “If I could make it to third, I intended to go for third from the start. While personal records are honorable, I believe no player is greater than the team, so I chose what would help the team.”
He added in a separate interview with the club’s YouTube channel, “I never even considered stopping at second. In a close game, I only thought about what would benefit the team.”
Interestingly, Park, who had not recorded a single triple since his professional debut in 2019, hit two triples in this game alone, making it a day to remember.
Last season, Park posted a batting average of .287 with six home runs, 14 RBIs, and five stolen bases—his best performance since debut—before suffering a finger fracture after being hit by a pitch in late August, which ended his season early.
After months of treatment and rehabilitation, he returned to the first team on April 9, and the game against NC was his first appearance of the season.
Reflecting on his comeback after seven months, Park said, “I’m grateful to my past self for enduring. Without the support of fans, those around me, and the club, I wouldn’t have been able to perform like this today.”
He also delivered a message to fans: “I faced another injury during spring training, which was tough, but hardships always teach lessons. If you get through them, you can reach your goals. I hope fans don’t lose heart in difficult times and gain strength by watching me.”
