KBO Talent Donation Committee member Song Jin-woo gave heartfelt advice to his son, Song Woo-hyun, 27, who was released from the Kiwoom Heroes for drunk driving.
Song Jin-woo visited the “2023 Future Youth Leaders National Education University T-Ball Tournament” held at the Boeun-gun Sports Park Baseball Field in Chungcheongbuk-do on April 24 and gave a one-point pitching lesson to the students.
Song Jin-woo, a legendary pitcher with a KBO career record of 672 games (3003 innings), 210 wins, 153 losses, 17 holds, 103 saves, and a 3.51 ERA, generously imparted his know-how to the students, who gathered with an interest in pitching. After the pitching clinic, he said, “I could tell that they were interested in baseball by their desire to learn and their desire to pitch well. I realized that not only tee ball, but the entire baseball infrastructure could be expanded.”
Song, who served as pitching coach for the Hanwha Eagles until 2020 and as manager of the independent league Scoreborn Hyenas in 2021, is now taking a break from coaching. “I took a paternity leave,” he laughed, “I’ve been working in baseball for 50 years. Being away from the field gave me a break. I think it’s not bad to take a break.”
One of Song’s concerns after leaving the field is the future of his son, Song Woo-hyun. Song Woo-hyun joined Kiwoom in the sixth round (58th overall) of the 2015 rookie draft but struggled for a long time. Then, in 2021, he established himself as the starting outfielder, batting .296 (74-for-250) with three home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .786 OPS in 69 games. It looked like his potential was finally blossoming.
However, a DUI on August 9, 2021, caused a stir, and Kiwoom decided to release Song on August 11. On December 2, he was sentenced to a fine for driving under the influence. 안전놀이터
Since the DUI scandal, Song hasn’t been able to return to professional baseball, but he’s been playing in an independent league and waiting for one last chance. Commissioner Song Jin-woo said, “As a father, my heart hurts. I know I did something wrong, but the wait is getting too long. If it doesn’t work out, I have to find another way,” he said.
Song Jin-woo, who said, “You’ve been playing baseball since you were a kid, so you might think that baseball is all there is,” encouraged his son, saying, “You can’t hang on to professional baseball forever, and it’s painful for the players who are waiting. If you find something else to do, you’ll have a new taste of life.” However, he also said, “It’s a pity that you can’t continue what you’ve been doing. It’s not that he can’t do it because he’s not good, but it’s even more unfortunate that he can’t play baseball because of careless mistakes.” 토토사이트 순위
“I wonder if this year will be a low point,” said Song Jin-woo, who candidly revealed, “I don’t have anything special to say. My son is very sorry for me and I’m also worried,” he said, adding that he hoped his son would get one last chance.