SUWON — The KT Wiz's fortunes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason took a dramatic turn following a motivational talk by veteran third baseman Hwang Jae-gyun, which spurred the team to consecutive wins after facing potential elimination.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, the Wiz had suffered two consecutive losses to the NC Dinos at the beginning of the best-of-five series, putting them at a disadvantage as they approached Game 3 in Changwon on Thursday. At 36, Hwang, sensing the low morale among his younger teammates, chose to deliver a stirring message rather than a reprimand.
His approach was to remind the team of their remarkable regular-season turnaround, which saw them climb from last to second place, and to emphasize the significance of their achievements regardless of the postseason outcome. Hwang's address appeared to galvanize the Wiz, as evidenced by their 3-0 victory in Game 3 on Thursday.
The momentum continued into Friday when the Wiz dominated the Dinos 11-2. Hwang contributed significantly, hitting a solo home run and adding two RBIs to the scoreboard. His leadership and performance were emblematic of the team's resilience, a quality that has marked their season after a dismal start.
Hwang's talk urged his team to play with less pressure, emphasizing pride in their season's work irrespective of the series result. The players responded, exhibiting a more relaxed and effective approach to their gameplay.
Hwang's offensive prowess was particularly notable in Game 4, where his RBI double and subsequent home run were pivotal in building a commanding lead against the Dinos.
The Wiz now stand one victory away from a historic comeback, poised to become only the third team in KBO history to overturn a 2-0 series deficit in the second round and advance to the Korean Series. This turnaround can be largely attributed to the uplifting influence of Hwang Jae-gyun's timely intervention during a critical juncture for the team.